December News: Breaking Ground on East River Greenway, New School Seats, Fighting Development with No Limit, Helping the Homeless, and ❄Holiday Party❄

1. Holiday Party (New Location)
2. Save the Date: State of the District
3. First Friday: Free Fire Alarms and Free Go Bags

6. New School for Childrens Academy
7. Fighting for GPS and Real Time Monitoring on School Buses

HELPING THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST

8. Hearing on Acacia Network and Homelessness Service Contracts
9. Serving Our Veterans Who Served Our City
10. Nonprofit Power 100

11. Charter Revision 2019: All Five Questions Pass
12. Discussing Voting and Elections with the American Institute of Architects

13. Fighting Albany Proposal for Building with No Limits
14. Council of NY Co-ops and Condos 
15. Rallying with NYCHA Residents
16. Peering into the Void: A Visit to the Museum of Modern Art Tower 
17. Housing Our Future: Building 24,000 Units For Homeless
18. Met Council on Housing 60th Anniversary Proclamation

19. Apply to be on Your Community Board
20. Working to Keep Subway Cars Clean and Standing up for Transit Workers
21. Anime NYC 2019 
22. Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway
23. Love Your Neighborhood Day
24. It's My Park Day at Sutton Place Park
25. Food Tank Summit: Better Food for New Yorkers
26. Blockchain Panel on the Future of Voting and Potential for Local Government Use
27. Roosevelt Island Residents Association President Awarded Citation
28. Turtle Bay Holiday Party
29. Soles4Souls Shoe Drive

29. Fighting Wage Theft: Standing up for Construction Workers
30. 32BJ Building Services Awards
31. Meet the Women Who Build New York City
32. Carpenters Union 2019 Construction Summit
33. Bricklayers Masonry Institute

34. ETHOS: Homeless Persons' Memorial Day Invite
35. Free Flu Shots at Lenox Hill Hospital
36. Citizens Committee for New York City Neighborhood Grants Program
37. ActionNYC RFP: Now Available
38. Child Mind Institute: Helping Children Cope with Traumatic Events
39. Bike Safety 

40. Free Legal Clinics
41. Here to Help
42. Mobile District Hours
43. Ben in Your Building
44. Community Boards
45. NYPD Events
46. Neighborhood and Tenant Associations
47. Events for Adults
48. Events for Kids

EVENT INVITES
 
Holiday Party (New Location)
 

You are invited! On Tuesday, December 17, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., join Congress Member Carolyn Maloney, State Senator Liz Kreuger, Assembly Members Rebecca Seawright and Dan Quart, Council Member Keith Powers, and me as we come together to welcome the holiday season with a joint (non-political) holiday party. There will be finger food and drinks available for those in attendance. RSVP by calling (212)860-1950 or at BenKallos.com/Events
 
Thank you to Hunter College for providing the space.
 
Holiday Party (*New Location*)
Hunter College
904 Lexington Avenue.
The Hunter College West building is located on the Southwest corner of Lexington Avenue & 68th St
Tuesday, December 17, 2019, 6 pm - 8 pm
(Allow additional time for security)
RSVP


Save the Date: State of the District 
 
Please join me for my annual report to you on the State of the District. We will recognize all the work members of our community have done together with my office over the past 6 years and giving a preview of what’s in store for 2020. RSVP by calling 212-860-1950 or BenKallos.com/Events
 
State of the District 
Sunday, January 26, 2020,  1pm - 3 pm
12:30PM Doors Open and Volunteer Fair
Memorial Sloan Kettering
430 East 67th Street
RSVP
 

First Friday: Free Fire Alarms and Free Go Bags
In recent years, 70% of fire deaths have occurred in homes where there were no working smoke/carbon monoxide alarms. But the risk of dying in a fire is cut in half when there are working alarms present. 
 
On Friday, December 6 at 930am, the New York City Fire Department will join my First Friday meeting to present on fire safety and distribute fire alarms. FDNY will also provide educational materials and distribute up to 100 alarms to residents in attendance. RSVP at BenKallos.com/Events
 
FDNY Fire Alarm Distribution (at 9:30am)
Friday, December 6, 2019 - 8am -10am  
244 East 93rd Street
RSVP



PARKS PROJECTS
 
Construction Begins on $100 Million East River Greenway

The East Side is getting eight new blocks of parkland. As the New York Daily News reported, construction to fill the gap between East 53rd and 61st streets on the East River Esplanade has begun. This project will connect a combined 1,000 acres of open space in both directions on the East River Esplanade and create a new greenway by adding additional acres of park space. The groundbreaking included East River Esplanade Taskforce Co-chair Congress Member Carolyn Maloney, Deputy Mayor Vicki Been, NYCEDC President and CEO James Patchett, Parks Deputy Commissioner Alyssa Cobb Konon, and NYC DOT and Manhattan Deputy Commissioner Jennifer Sta. Ines.
 
Once completed, the new greenway will serve as a vital connection for all New Yorkers, especially runners and cyclists. Thank you to Mayor de Blasio, for the $100 million allocated for construction. Soon my constituents and I will finally be able to run, bike or walk the entire length of my district from Midtown East to East Harlem.
 
Since I was elected, we have secured and invested a total of $275 million dollars for the East River Esplanade:

• $1 million from my office in 2017 for irrigation from 96th to 90th Streets.
• Opened the 90th Street Pier in 2016 to the Public.
• $35 million for renovations from 90th to 88th Streets funded in 2014 with work started in 2017.
• $1.8 million from Council District 5 funding to modernize Carl Schurz Park Playground on 84th Street with work started this winter.
• $500,000 from my office in 2016 to renovate John Finley Walk following recommendations of CIVITAS from 84th to 81st.
• $1 million secured from Brearley to renovate the overhang above John Finley Walk following recommendations from CIVITAS from 83rd to 82nd.
• $15 million to rebuild the crumbling stairwell from 81st to 78th opened in 2017.
• $1 million secured from Hospital for Special Surgery for a master plan from 78th with irrigation, planters, and noise barriers from 72nd to 70th with maintenance in perpetuity.
• $1.25 million from my office in 2016 for irrigation and planters from 70th to 68th
• $15 million secured from Rockefeller University in 2014 for 68th to 62nd with work started in 2016 on a seawall, new design, irrigation, noise barriers, and maintenance in perpetuity.
• $29 million in public-private funding secured as a community benefit from Memorial Sloan Kettering to build Andrew Haswell Green Phase 2B from 61st to 60th.
• $4.6 million to rebuild Andrew Haswell Green under the Alice Aycock sculpture with accessibility, game tables, seating, and a new lawn opened in 2017.
• $100 million in funding in 2016 from the Mayor with completion slated for 2022 to connect the esplanade from 61st to 53rd.

For more information on the project watch the press conference at BenKallos.com/videos or read the reporting by Upper East Side Patch.
 

Parks Department Answers Questions on Stalled and Slow Projects

As chair of the Committee on Contracts, I questioned the Department of Parks and Recreation on why their capital projects take four to eight years, or even more. As The City reported, I was “flabbergasted” to learn at this hearing that the Parks Department has 50 open positions within the capital projects division, while projects languish for as long as a year. 
 
Our city’s parks are crucial for all of us and especially families with young children who need open space to play in since they more than likely don't have it at home in their New York City apartment. Personally, I know that when my baby daughter does not get her time in the park to play and run around, my one-bedroom apartment gets turned upside down. Watch my questions and opening remarks from this joint hearing of the Committees on Contracts, Parks, and Capital Budget at BenKallos.com/videos


EDUCATION
 
New School for Children's Academy

Children’s Academy is a K-12 nonprofit school serving children with speech and language delays on behalf of the Department of Education. I was proud to join them as we cut the ribbon on 50 new K-12 seats at their new location at 317 East 50th Street. We've worked closely with the school to ensure that parents and the school are reimbursed by the city in a more timely manner and most recently to get through the bureaucracy necessary to open a new educational facility. Thank you to Deborah Blenman-Green, Head of School, for welcoming my office to the ribbon cutting and for all the great work her team did to get the location open. If you or someone you know has a child receiving a special education and have not been reimbursed by the city please let me know so we can help get you paid at BKallos@BenKallos.com.
 

Fighting for GPS and Real Time Monitoring on School Buses 

As NBC 4 reported, my office continues to hold the Department of Education and the Office of Pupil Transport accountable for not meeting the deadline set by legislation I authored and passed. Local Law 32 of 2019 forces these two City agencies to install and implement real-time GPS monitoring of all New York City school buses. Although the agencies have missed the September 2019 deadline for implementation, my office continues to apply pressure to the Department of Education to ensure they are working as fast as possible to get GPS and tracking software up and running this school year. I recently co-authored a letter to Chancellor Carranza alongside Council Member Robert Holden with more than a dozen other Council Members demanding that the Department of Education explain itself and why it missed the deadline. For more information the letter at BenKallos.com/Press-releases and see coverage in Queens Chronicle.
 


HELPING THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST
 
Hearing on Acacia Network and Homelessness Service Contracts

As the chair of the Committee on Contracts, I will be holding a hearing to probe our city’s homeless shelter contracts, particularly those with the Acacia Network, which has been the subject of investigative reporting that exposed potential conflicts of interest and poor conditions. Last month, the New York Times reported on a terrible incident that occurred at an Acacia shelter on the Upper West Side, leaving one man dead. Over the summer, The Wall Street Journal broke the story by reporting on potential illegal self-dealing in how the company handles its security. 
 
If you have ever had a negative experience with the Acacia Network or any other city homeless service and shelter provider while staying or working at one of there facilities please consider testifying in the coming hearing on Monday, December 16, at 10 a.m. To arrange testimony or seek whistleblower protections, please contact Contracts@BenKallos.com.
 

Serving Our Veterans Who Served Our City

Our City owes a tremendous debt to our veterans. It was on their behalf and as Chair of the Committee on Contracts alongside Veterans Committee Chair Chaim Deutsch that I questioned officials from the City’s Veterans Affairs Office on everything from how their agency does outreach to homeless veterans to their budgeting and staffing levels as well as what software the agency is using to manage the work they have been tasked to do. I was also able to identify ways agency could update its website and be more specific online with information on the services they offer to our veterans. They served we now need to work to see how we can better serve them. Watch my questions to the agency at BenKallos.com/Videos
 

Nonprofit Power 100 

Nonprofits are vital to getting New York City residents the services they need. As Chair of the Committee on Contracts, I get to work closely with non-profits and see better than anyone else how important the work they do is. That is why I have been committed to making sure nonprofits get paid on time by the City and that MWBE’s get their fair share. City and State recognized my work in this Committee by placing me in the top 20 powerful figures in New York City within the nonprofit sector. Thank you to City and State for recognizing the work and giving nonprofits the recognition they deserve. For more information read City and State.



ELECTIONS
 
Charter Revision 2019: All Five Questions Pass

On November 5, just over 720,000 of the City’s 4.7 million registered voters came out to vote in this year’s election. In the end, my friend Jumaane Williams, whom I was proud to endorse when he first launched his campaign, was elected Public Advocate for a full term.
 
All 5 questions on the ballot, which I had testified in favor of over the past year, were adopted by New Yorkers with more than 70 percent of the vote.
 
Now that the 5 ballot measures have passed, the City Charter has been amended to make the following changes:
 
QUESTION 3:  Two Year Revolving Door Ban For Elected Officials & Citywide Office Dedicated to Contracting with Women and People of Color.
QUESTION 4:  Budget Independence for the Public Advocate and Borough President
QUESTION 5:  Early Involvement for Community in Neighborhood Planning
 
I am particularly proud to have recommended questions 3, 4 and 5, which will all help improve our City’s government. Starting with question 3 which bans high-level officials in City government from lobbying the City for two years after they have left government and cements into law the existence and funding for the office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE). Questions 4 and 5 empower the Public Advocate's Office as well as the offices of the Borough Presidents to be able to stand up to the Mayor by funding them separately. These two questions also empower Community Boards through early ULURP notices and update the way our City’s budget is submitted by the Mayor as well as set up a rainy day fund for our City. I am proud to have fought for and testified in favor of putting these same proposals on the ballot multiple times over the last year.
 

Discussing Voting and Elections with the American Institute of Architects
 

At a workshop with the American Institute of Architects on designing fair and balanced polling stations.
 


HOUSING AND OVERDEVELOPMENT

Fighting Albany Proposal for Building with No Limits

The last thing the overbuilt borough of Manhattan needs is more density for taller towers for billionaires. In an effort to prevent a plan that would allow developers to build supertalls without limits, I testified before the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Housing and Cities, stating that we must not lift the residential density cap in Manhattan, because we know this would only incentivize developers to build more supertall towers for billionaires rather than the affordable housing that New Yorkers need. Building affordable housing within ultra-high-rise buildings is considerably more expensive than in mid-height buildings, due to the higher costs to build high-rise buildings combined with the higher cost of land. 

There are several steps we should take to build more affordable housing:

• Fix the R10 Inclusionary Housing Program. As it currently stands, this program allows residential developments that would be limited to 10 FAR to build instead to 12 FAR, in exchange for creating or preserving affordable housing, but fails to build sufficient housing to cover the bonus or those that are displaced.
• Improve Affordable Housing NY Program (formerly 421-a). Require the construction of affordable housing on site to eliminate the rich building/poor building economic and racial segregation.
• Define the Height of a Floor. Albany can also pass A5026A/S3820A, to limit the mechanical void exemption, address floor-to-ceiling heights, and count certain outdoor spaces as floor area.
• Build 2-4 Family Homes in Place of Single Family Homes. Nearly double the housing in our city with a modest of increase from single family homes that cover nearly half our city to requiring 2-4 family homes to effectively double the available housing in our city. This would have to be coupled with serious investments in infrastructure for public transit, education, and more.

Read my full testimony before the Assembly Standing Committee on Housing and Cities at BenKallos.com/press-releases
 

Council of NY Co-ops and Condos 
 

I spoke to Members of the Council of NY Cooperative & Condominiums 39th Annual Housing Conference reminding coop and condo board members that I do make "house calls" for "Ben in Your Building" and am happy to stop by you annual meeting. Schedule yours now at scheduler@BenKallos.com.
 

Rallying with NYCHA Residents 

I stood shoulder to shoulder with members of the Holmes-Isaacs Coalition as we rallied on the steps of City Hall demanding that the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) remain public and that its properties not be sold off for private development. The rally also called on NYCHA to guarantee heat and hot water to residents at Holmes Towers and Stanley Isaacs as winter gets ready to hit New York City. I was proud to stand with every NYCHA resident, including Saundrea Coleman and La Keesha Taylor, co-founders of the Holmes-Isaacs coalition.  


Peering into the Void: A Visit to the Museum of Modern Art Tower
Touring a mechanical void at the Museum of Modern Art Tower with Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, Council Members Helen Rosenthal and Keith Powers as well as Deputy Mayor Vicki Been. Learn more and join the fight at BenKallos.com/voids


Housing Our Future: Building 24,000 Units For Homeless
 
Standing with Homelessness Advocacy groups and fellow elected officials demanding that the Mayor build affordable housing for homeless New Yorkers.
 

Met Council on Housing 60th Anniversary Proclamation

Recognizing Met Council on Housing with a Proclamation for 60 years of organizing for the preservation and expansion of safe, decent, affordable housing in New York City.
 


COMMUNITY

Apply to be on Your Community Board

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer has opened the application period for New Yorkers who want to join a Community Board. Terms for members for the last two years and if you live, work, or go to school in Manhattan, you’re eligible!  Applications are due 5:00 pm on Tuesday, January 21, 2020. Apply at www.manhattanbp.nyc.gov/cbapplication/


Working to Keep Subway Cars Clean and Standing up for Transit Workers

I rallied with Transit Workers as they demanded that the MTA stop cutting their staffing levels which include subway cleaners along the Q line. The City reported that incidents of soiled subway cars are up significantly this year, yet the MTA insists on cutting staffing levels for cleaning crews causing the problem to be exacerbated because there are fewer workers to deal with the uptick in soiled cars. The MTA knows New Yorkers need restrooms in subway terminals, but it chose not to install bathrooms in the most recently completed station at 96th Street. I am demanding that at the very least, they maintain the resources to keep cleaning subway cars adequately. This is a quality of life issue that affects every New Yorker who rides the subway, and I know the MTA can do better.
 

Anime NYC 2019 

As the Anime News Network reported, for the third consecutive year I helped open this year’s Anime NYC convention at the Jacob Javits Center. This year the event was attended by more than 40,000 people. At the opening ceremony, I awarded Yoshiyuki Tomino a citation celebrating 40 years of "Gundam" Japan’s long-running and most influential anime franchises. The citation was covered by Our Town and Chelsea News, and I am honored to have been a part of it this historic moment for Anime and the convention which can only be described as a vibrant and exotic authentic Japanese experience. For more information and photos visit the Japanese embassy  or Facebook.com/BenKallos and read coverage in Chelsea News or Our Town.


Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway

With the help of the New York Common Pantry, I had the pleasure of delivering free Thanksgiving Day turkeys, to residents of New York City Housing Authority developments in District 5. We handed out over 100 turkeys, which I funded through my office, to dozens of families residing at Stanley Isaacs, Holmes Towers, Lexington Houses, and Robbins Plaza. If you live in NYCHA in Council District 5 and want a turkey next year, call my office next November at 212-860 1950 to get on the list. You can also get additional food now by joining the New York Common Pantry at nycommonpantry.org


Love Your Neighborhood Day

Thank you for joining Council Member Keith Powers and me for Love Your Neighborhood Day where we helped beautify East 86th Street and our community parks.
 

It's My Park Day at Sutton Place Park

Cleaning up Sutton Place Park with volunteers and organizers from the Sutton Place Parks Conservancy, with fun activities for children and work for adults like raking and weeding.

 
Food Tank Summit: Better Food for New Yorkers

At Food Tank Summit 2019, discussing how to end hunger in our schools, with State Senator Alessandra Biaggi, New York State Assembly Member Marcos Crespo, and my fellow City Council Member Rafael L. Espinal Sr. Watch the discussion at BenKallos.com/Videos
 

Blockchain Panel on the Future of Voting and Potential for Local Government Use

Discussing how Blockchain technology could be used in local government and to improve security in banking and better the lives of under-served communities.
 

Roosevelt Island Residents Association President Awarded Citation Awarding Lynne Strong-Shinozaki, President of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association a citation celebrating her birthday and her relentless commitment representing Roosevelt Island.
 

Turtle Bay Holiday Party
Celebrating the holidays with the Turtle Bay Association and giving an update on the latest news from the City Council.

 
Soles4Souls Shoe Drive

When someone doesn't have shoes, it's not just their feet that suffer. They are vulnerable to disease and often unable to attend school or look for work.  Shoes are lifesavers to those where walking is the only mode of transportation, and the only way to make a living.  Everyone deserves a good pair of shoes!  Help Soles4Souls reach their goal of 25,000 pairs of shoes by making a donation. Soles4Souls has distributed over 30 million pairs of shoes in 127 countries with every single one making a difference in the life of someone in need.
 
Look in your closets and donate any shoes that you just don’t wear anymore, are too uncomfortable, or just not your type!  Keep them out of landfills! As long as they are wearable, Soles4Souls accepts any type of shoe, from flip-flops to snow boots!  Check out https://soles4souls.org/. Ask about hosting a shoe drive at your place of business, school, religious institution or gym. Contact Rayna, Volunteer NYC Community Organizer, at Raynas4s.nyc@gmail.com.



WORKING FAMILIES AND JOBS
 
Fighting Wage Theft: Standing up for Construction Workers

I rallied with Laborers and New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE) construction workers demanding payment of more than $70,000 in owed wages. The rally called on one of the largest construction management companies in New York City, New Line Structures, to ensure subcontractors they hired pay workers the wages they are owed for work they have completed. For more information on the rally read the release at BenKallos.com/Press-releases
 

32BJ Building Services Awards

I had the honor of presenting dedicated building service worker Jeffrey Matthews with the award for Porter of the Year at the 2019 Building Service Awards with 32BJ. I presented the award alongside State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. Mr. Matthews lives in Senator Persaud’s district and works in mine, so we decided to present the award together. Congratulations to all of 2019’s winners, and thank you to every building service worker who keeps the East Side running day in and day out (and throughout the night too). Thank you as well to Our Town and Straus News publisher Jean Straus for putting on this great event year after year and recognizing hard work.
 

Meet the Women Who Build NYC
Speaking at National Apprenticeship Week to dozens of NYC women who work in the male-dominated construction industry right here doing jobs like stonework, pipefitting, architecture, and engineering.
 

Carpenters Union 2019 Construction Summit
I spoke with leaders and recruits at the Carpenters Union’s 2019 Construction Summit. The union which trains over 1,500 carpenter apprentices and 14,000 journey-level carpenters per year in its New York City training facility. The union offers both in-classroom and on-site training as a part of its holistic apprenticeship program in order to better prepare future carpenters for the leap into the industry.
 

Bricklayers Masonry Institute
  
With members of the International Union of Bricklayers learning the ins and outs of masonry and what it takes to be a great bricklayer and stone setter. At the institute, I even got the opportunity to experience what it's like to work from a scaffold, let's just say it's not easy.
 


RESOURCES 
 
ETHOS: Homeless Persons' Memorial Day Invite
ETHOS member, Urban Pathways, is co-hosting Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day. This is an annual event that takes place on (or near) the Winter Solstice, where those who passed over the last year without stable housing are remembered. The event serves as a good reminder of why we have to work to end homelessness and is an opportunity to honor those who might not have been properly memorialized.
 
This year the memorial will take place at 4:30pm on Wednesday, December 18^th at the 5^th Ave. Presbyterian Church (7 West 55^th Street). A meal will be served at 4:30PM and the program begins at 5:30PM. The meal and program are free and open to the public. 
 
If you or anyone from your programs would like to submit the name of someone who passed away while homeless (either while sleeping on the streets or in a temporary shelter) to be included in the program, please send to Nicole at nmcvinua@urbanpathways.org. All will be included, even if it is a partial name or nickname.
 
Option to RSVP at the Eventbrite link (though RSVP is not required) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-homeless-persons-memorial-day-tickets-76824497139?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
 

Free Flu Shots at Lenox Hill Hospital  
Lenox Hill Hospital will be offering free flu shots to the community in early December.  
 
The flu shots will be available at Lenox Hill Hospital, Hearth Room (Enter 130 East 77^th Street) on:
 
December 5, 1-4 pm
December 10, 4-7 pm
 

Citizens Committee for New York City Neighborhood Grants Program

Citizens Committee for New York City is now accepting applications from volunteer-led groups for our Neighborhood Grants program, which provides up to $3,000 for community improvement projects. Organizations in District 5 must apply by the January 20^th deadline.
 
Eligible groups include block and civic associations, tenant associations, PTAs, community gardening groups, volunteer organizations working with youth and seniors, and others; they do not have to be a 501c3.
 
Examples of projects include turning a vacant lot into a community garden or composting site; facilitating workshops on healthy cooking and eating; beautifying public spaces; arts and cultural programs; youth fitness initiatives; and much more.
 
You can find more visit www.citizensnyc.org/grants/neighborhood-grants
 

ActionNYC RFP: Now Available
 
ActionNYC’s Request for Proposals (RFPs) for Fiscal year 2021 through Fiscal 23 are now available. Through these RFPs, we will help further integrate immigration legal services into the broader city infrastructure ensuring that immigrant communities, continue to access free comprehensive legal screenings and representation at trusted and accessible locations throughout the city. 
 
Interested nonprofit Community-Based Organizations and legal services providers will have the opportunity to submit proposals through multiple RFPs:

• ActionNYC in CBOs Model 1
• ActionNYC in CBOs Model 2
• ActionNYC in CBOs Model 3
• ActionNYC in Public Hospitals
• ActionNYC in Public Libraries
• ActionNYC in Public Schools

 To access descriptions of each of the RFPs, click the links above or visit: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/mocs/systems/hhs-accelerator-procurements.page:
 
Please note that prospective proposers/applicants must first pre-qualify through HHS Accelerator (nyc.gov/hhsaccelerator), the online platform through which proposals are submitted. 
 
If you have questions regarding the HHS Accelerator system or the pre-qualification process, please contact the HHS Accelerator team at help@mocs.nyc.gov.  
 
Please see additional information/instructions about the ActionNYC RFP process below:
 
Pre-Proposal Conferences:

• ActionNYC CBO RFPs: December 17, 2019 at 10:00 am
• Action NYC RFPs (Hospitals, Schools and Libraries):  December 17, 2019 at 2:00 pm

Proposals are due: January 15, 2020.


Child Mind Institute: Helping Children Cope with Traumatic Events
 
We can’t shield our children from pain and fear when they’re exposed to such tragedy. But, we can help them process what they’re experiencing in the healthiest way possible.
 
The Child Mind Institute provides support, guidance, and treatment to New York City schoolchildren in the wake of scary and upsetting events. With the support of the City Council, they have reached thousands of students, parents, and educators.  

For more in-depth information on helping children recover from traumatic events see the guide titled Helping Children Cope After a Traumatic Event. It is a free and helpful resource for times where adults need to support and comfort children trying to understand tragedies. These resources are free to view and download and are available in 10 languages.
 
Learn more at Childmind.org/our-impact/trauma-response/trauma-resources/
  
 
Bike Safety
 
Following an expansion of the Upper East Side’s safe streets network, coupled with an increase in education, safety equipment, and enforcement, bike safety from 30th to 97th streets on Manhattan’s East Side continues to improve as a result of a program led by Council Members Ben Kallos and Keith Powers. Since the program’s launch by Council Member Kallos in 2014 there has been a trend toward fewer injuries for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists injured in collisions. The trend also shows fewer collisions involving cyclists. Last year, the program included a new bike safety officer and the expansion of protected bike lanes.

Since 2013, when the program launched, injuries and deaths on the streets of the Upper East Side have consistently declined. In 2013, 1,564 people were injured and 11 people died, while in 2018 there have been 998 injuries so far and 4 deaths. Pedestrians have seen the greatest safety improvements, with pedestrian injuries falling this year to nearly half their number in 2013. Since 2013, no pedestrian has been killed by a bicycle, and as of 2018 only 13 of the injuries to pedestrians were caused by a bicycle.

This positive trend is a result of the continuing bike safety program sponsored by Council Members Kallos and Powers is a partnership with the Department of Transportation, Bike New York, Citi Bike operated by Motivate, the East 72nd Street Neighborhood Association, and the New York Police Department’s 17th and 19th Precincts. The program was designed with advice and support from Transportation Alternatives and Streets PAC.

Infrastructure improvements include:

• Improving the bike lane on Second Avenue between 68th and 59th streets from shared to partially parking-protected planned for 2019.
• Providing a pedestrian and bike crossing for the 59th Street Queensboro Bridge planned for 2019.
• Doubling bike lanes from just First Avenue and 90th & 91st Street pair to include Second Avenue, 70th & 71st Street and 77th & 78th Streets in 2017.
• Leading pedestrian intervals along York Avenue to give pedestrians a chance to cross before vehicles get the green light in 2016.
• “Safety neckdowns” have extended the curb and islands have been added at dangerous intersections throughout the Upper East Side, so pedestrians have less distance to cross.

NYPD traffic data. The 17th and 19th Precincts report Year to Date (YTD) as of October:

• 18,134 moving violations issued to vehicles, the violations were issued for infractions such as improper turns, disobeying a traffic control device for red lights, not yielding the right of way to pedestrians among other violations;
• 1,749 summons issued to bicycles mostly for not giving right of way to pedestrians and disobeying a steady red signal; and
• 81 seizures of “e-bikes” with most receiving summonses to appear at ECB/OATH.

For more information on the Bike Safety program visit BenKallos.com/bikesafety
 
 

OFFICE UPDATES
 
Free 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:

• General Civil Law, 3rd Tuesday
• Life Planning Clinic, 3rd Wednesday
• Family Law and Domestic Violence, 1st Tuesday
• Housing Clinics, Every Monday and 1st 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
• Job Resources: 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 us 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 (11-2pm)
• Webster Library, 1465 York Ave & 3rd East 78th Street, 3rd Wednesday (11-2pm)
• Roosevelt Island Senior Center, 546 Main Street, 4th Wednesday (11-2pm)

 
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. Please consider inviting me to your cooperative or condominium annual meeting or tenant’s association meeting, and I will be happy to join you. Over the past year, I have visited several buildings to discuss matters of importance in the neighborhood, including street furniture, road conditions, homeless outreach, and sanitation issues. Please schedule a "Ben in Your Building" today by calling 212-860-1950 or email Scheduler@BenKallos.com.
 

Community Boards

12/4: Meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors (REDAC)
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM., RIOC Operation Office, 680 Main Street Roosevelt Island, NY 10044
 
12/11: Community Board 6 Full Board Meeting
7:00pm, 433 1st Avenue (NYU School of Dentistry), Room 220 
 
12/12: RIOC Board Meeting 
5:30 PM- 8:00pm., Cultural Center, 548 Main Street New York, NY 10044 
 
12/17: Community Board 11 Full Board Meeting
6:30pm, Terrence Cardinal Cooke Medical Center, 1249 Fifth Avenue
 
12/18: Community Board 8 Full Board
6:30pm, New York Blood Center, Auditorium 310 East 67th Street (first-second) 
 
 
NYPD Events

12/9: 19th Precinct Community Council Holiday Party
7:00pm-8:00pm, St Vincents Church Basement at 66 and Lexington 
 
 
Neighborhood and Tenant Associations
 
First Wednesday, 12/4: Roosevelt Island Residents Association Common Council Meeting
8:00 pm-10:00 pm, Good Shepherd (Downstairs), 543 Main Street
 
Second Wednesday, 12/11: Lexington Houses Tenant Association
6:00pm, 1539 Lexington Avenue
 
Second Tuesday, 12/10: Stanley Isaacs Tenant Associations
7:00 pm, Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center, 415 East 93rd Street
 
Third Tuesday, 12/17: Holmes Towers Tenant Association
7:00 pm, Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center, 415 East 93rd Street
 

Events for Adults
 
12/2, 12/9, 12/16: Chair Yoga Class with Margarita Pruitt
10:00am 11:00am, New York Presbyterian Allen Hospital, Thayer Conference Room B 5141 Broadway.
The public will be able to enjoy Chair Yoga, this exercise helps practice for the body, breath and intellect. Chair Yoga relaxes and relieves stress from your body, improves movement patterns, increases sitting/standing posture and helps with breath awareness and pain management.
If you would like to join the class please call us at 212-932-5844 to become a member of HealthOutreach.
 
12/2: Holiday Stress Reduction through Meditation
5:30 pm,Yorkville Library, Meeting Room
The scientific community has recently been exploring the use of meditation as a healing modality.  Join Rosanna Jimenez, long time meditator, as she discusses the extraordinary effect of meditation.  It can reduce stress-related responses, improve concentration, enhance clarity of thought and mental equilibrium.  
 
12/2: Colorectal Cancer Support Group
 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, Weill Greenberg Center, Second floor conference room "C"  1305 York Avenue
This monthly support group offered to all patients diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer and is led by Lauren Shaffer, LCSW. The group is free to attend, but an RSVP is required. Please contact Lauren Shaffer, LCSW at  les9014@med.cornell.edu (preferred) or 212-746-5671 to RSVP.  
 
12/2, 12/9: Zumba Class with Maria Assis
 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, Thayer B Conference Room 5141 Broadway, New York, NY 10034
HealthOutreach invites you to join their Zumba class. A latin inspired Dance Fitness. Zumba affects metabolism, improves aerobic capacity and a great way to build and tone muscles.
If you would like to join the class please call us at 212-932-5844 to become a member of HealthOutreach.
 
12/2: Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square 
5:30 pm to 9:00 pm, Broadway, Columbus Ave, W 63 St. 
New York’s holiday festival will be held outdoors with fun family activities they will be hosting delicious food tasting. The tree lighting event will start at 5:30pm and end at 6:00pm. 
 
 12/2 Through 12/31: Yeti, Set, Snow!
10:30 am–11:15 am, 1:00 pm–1:45 pm, 3:00 pm–3:45 pm Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre in Central Park, Manhattan
Yeti, Set, Snow! – an original story and marionette show produced by City Parks Foundation – will be making its anticipated return to the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre. Perfect for families with young children ages 3 - 8, this winter adventure with puppetry and music is perfect for getting into the winter holiday spirit. The cost is for $8/children and $12/adults.
 
12/3, 12/17: Webster Writing Circle 
6:00 pm, Webster Library, Auditorium
Let your stories unfold! Join Webster for an exploration in creativity. This writing circle is informal in style and structure: there is no experience necessary. We’ll spend time writing and talking about what we have written. There's no registration or sign up required. Meetings are the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month at 6 PM
 
12/3, 12/10, 12/17: Word for Beginners 
3 :00 pm, 96th Street Library
Learn the basic features of Microsoft Word 2010, a word processing program you can use to create documents. Topics include: entering and editing texts, saving files, and various formatting options. This is a comprehensive course, so please make sure you can attend all sessions. Call 212-289-0908 to register. Tuesdays, 3-5 PM Phone or in-person.
 
12/3: Film- Ben-Hur
6:00 pm, Roosevelt Island Library
Romans, chariots, galley ships!  Join us for a two-part screening of the classical epic film Ben-Hur!
 
12/3: Nellie Bly Town House
6:00PM - 8:00PM., Good Shepherd Chapel
Join Roosevelt Island’s Town Hall to discuss the details of the Nellie Bly Memorial. Also come see artist Amanada Mathews to see various samples of her work and discuss more in detail about the memorial.   
12/4, 12/18: Adult One-on-One Computer Help Workshop
11:30 amam - 1 pmpm,Yorkville Library, Meeting Room
Work one-on-one with a volunteer tutor to improve internet skills, create, and use email, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Power Point). Pre-registration is required in person or by phone at 212-744-5824. Seating is Limited 
 
From 12/5 Through 12/31: 37th Arsenal Gallery Exhibition
9:00 am–5:00 pm, Central Park: 830 fifth Ave Manhattan, 3rd Floor 
Join the NYC parks to celebrate the holiday season with this quirky and one-of-a-kind exhibition. This year’s exhibition includes wreaths by more than 40 artists, designers, and creative individuals of all ages who have used a variety of unexpected materials to reinterpret the traditional holiday symbol, often with a touch of humor and light-hearted fun. 
 
12/5: Tree Lighting Sing-along
6:00 pm–6:45 pm, Bryant Park, Manhattan
Bryant Park’s annual tree lighting returns all visitors are welcome to skate to live music on the city’s only free admission ice skating rink. Please note: The rink closes to the public 3:00 pm on the day of the tree lighting. The Pavilion also closes at 3:00 pm and re-opens at 5:00 pm The rink will resume public skating right after the show, about 6:40 pm
 
12/5: Book Discussion Group: Memoirs That Make a Difference: Eat the Apple by Matt Young
6:00 pm, Webster Library, Auditorium
Join us for the Memoirs That Make a Difference book discussion group. On December 5, 2019 at 6pm, we'll discuss Eat the Apple by Matt Young. Registration is  not required. Copies of this title can be reserved online, over the phone, or at your local branch. 
 
12/5: Film - A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH (1946) 
2:00 pm, 96th Street Library
A Matter of Life and Death (1946) A British wartime aviator who cheats death must argue for his life before a celestial court. ADMISSION FREE.
 
12/5: The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm, 96th Street Library
Please join us for our December 2019 book discussion. We will be reading The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai. Copies are available at the 96th Street Library one month before the book discussion. 
 
12/5: Hand-In-Hand With Mt. Vernon Hotel Museum
2:00 pm - 3:15 pm, 421 East 61st Street.
A specially designed program for visitors with memory loss and their care partners. Explore the Museum’s historic rooms and reflect on this month’s theme: Lighting & Candle-Making. Connections between life today and life in the 19th-century are nurtured through conversation and a handicraft workshop. Admission is free but reservations are required by calling 212-838-6878 or emailing info@mvhm.org
 
12/6 & 12/7: Holiday Candlelight Tour 
6:15 PM & 7:30 PM Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden 
Visitors will be able to enjoy a tour of the museum by candlelight. Refreshments will be served. Admission for adults is $20, Members: $10, and Children under 12: $5.

12/ 6, 12/ 13: Movement Speaks with Dances for a Variable Population
10:30 am - 12:00 pm, Webster Library, Auditorium
Join us celebrating moving in strong and creative ways!  From September 2019 - December 2019, Naomi and company will lead seniors on the Upper East Side in a series of dance fitness classes  for older adults of all ages and abilities. Program is free. Call 347-683-2691 for more information
Older adults of all ages and abilities are welcome. Attendance at all sessions is recommended but not required.
 
12/7: Instant Shakespeare Company: Pericles, Prince of Tyre
1:00 pm, Yorkville Library, Meeting Room.
This is the Instant Shakespeare Company’s 20th Season of presenting free readings of all of Shakespeare’s plays annually.  Join us for their dramatic reading of Pericles, Prince of Tyre. All ages are welcome.
 
12/7: Roosevelt Island Food Scrap Drop-off  
 9:00 AM-1:30 PM.,
Help us turn food scraps and yard waste into compost and clean energy by hosting a public food scrap drop-off site. Find more information on how to get started, here.
 
12/8: 74th Annual Park Avenue Tree Lighting Social Hour
5:00 pm - 6:00 PM., The Brick Presbyterian Church 
The public will be able to enjoy the ceremony of lights on Trees. The trees lit on the first Sunday evening of December. 
 
12/8: Holiday Tree Lighting 
5:00 pm-6:00 pmpm, 86 Street at East End Avenue 
The Public will be able to enjoy a Sunday evening of carols, candle light, candy canes, and hot chocolate. Regardless of weather conditions. 
 
12/9: Author Talk: Ian Frisch- Magic Is Dead: My Journey into the World's Most Secretive Society of Magicians
5:30 pm,Yorkville Library, Meeting Room
Magic Is Dead is Ian Frisch’s head-first dive into a hidden world full of extraordinary characters and highly guarded secrets. It is a story of imagination, deception, and art that spotlights today’s most brilliant young magicians—a mysterious club known as the52, who are revolutionizing an ancient art form under the mantra Magic Is Dead.
 
12/10: Salsa is Nuyorican
4:00 pm,Yorkville Library
The music amalgam known as salsa was created by Puerto Ricans and Nuyoricans in Spanish Harlem. Presenter will discuss the artistic, social and economic contributions to this movement.
For ages 13-18 years old. Presented by Jose Obando. No registration required.
 
12/11: Author Talk: Matthew Goodman- The Sun and the Moon: The Remarkable True Account of Hoaxers, Showmen, Dueling Journalists, and Lunar Man-Bats in Nineteen
 5:30 pm,Yorkville Library, Meeting Room
An exhilarating narrative history of a divided city on the cusp of greatness, and tale of a crew of writers, editors, and charlatans who stumbled on a new kind of journalism, The Sun and the Moon tells the surprisingly true story of the penny papers that made America a nation of newspaper readers.
 
12/11: Webster @ the Movies: Interstellar 
11:15 am, Webster Library, Auditorium
Webster’s @ The Movies Presents: Interstellar
In Earth's future, a global crop blight and second Dust Bowl are slowly rendering the planet uninhabitable. Professor Brand, a brilliant NASA physicist, is working on plans to save mankind by transporting Earth's population to a new home via a wormhole. 
 
12/11: The Art of the Short Story with Renee Trainer
5:30 - 6:45 pm, Webster Library, Auditorium
If you're a reader and thought you might like to try your hand at short story writing but just don't know how to get started, this course will help! Local author Renee Trainer will take you through the entire process preparing your mind, getting ideas on paper, and help you through the editing process. You'll learn new writing skills and techniques, and find new ways to express yourself. No registration required, and all are welcome.
 
12/12: Film - THE MIRACLE WOMAN (1931)
 2:00 pm, 96th Street Library
The Miracle Woman (1931)
A woman preacher is also a con artist, or so it seems. ADMISSION IS FREE This film is 90 minutes in length.
 
12/14: 16mm Film Nights: Start a Revolution Film Series: When the Mountains Tremble (1983)
2:00 pm, Webster Library, Auditorium
This documentary charts the struggles of the largely Indian Guatemalan peasantry against a long heritage of state and foreign oppression. This film is from 1983 and it is 83 minutes long.
 
12/14: Yorkville Writing Circle
 4:30 - 6:45 pm,11:00 am - 1:00 pmpm,Yorkville Library, Meeting Room
Want to meet local writers? Commit to a writing schedule? Practice your craft
through writing prompts? Read original work to get and give feedback? Then come to the biweekly meetings of the Yorkville Writing Circle! No sign-ups required.
Latecomers Welcome. For more information, please email: YorkvilleWritingCircle(at)gmail.com  
 
12/14: Music - Verdi's FALSTAFF recital by New York Opera Forum
1:00- 4:00 pm, 96th Street Library 
Presented by the New York Opera Forum.
New York Opera Forum performs  the complete opera of FALSTAFF by Giuseppe Verdi. A live musical recital performed in concert with piano accompaniment. ADMISSION IS FREE
 
12/14: Central Park in the Movies
11:00 am–12:30 pm, Grand Army Plaza Entrance in Central Park,Manhattan
New York City Parks have been filmed by some of the best directors of all time and starred some of the best actors of all time, from human to elf to muppet. Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hike to some of the iconic spots in Central Park featured in motion pictures from the last few decades. The cost is free.
 
12/15: Christmas Bird Count
8:00 am–12:00 pm, South Gate House of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in Central Park,Manhattan
Join NYC Audubon, Urban Park Rangers, and the Central Park Conservancy as we count birds in every section of Central Park. The cost is free.
 
12/16: Coffee & Connections
 11:30 am, Webster Library, Auditorium
Support for those who are experiencing homelessness or who know someone who is homeless.
New York has many great resources and services for people experiencing homelessness but it can be challenging to gain access to them. We'll host an expert who will be available to answer your questions and provide useful tips and information. All Public Library Programs are free of charge.This program is provided by the New York Public Library in partnership with the Department of Homeless Services.
 
12/16: A Day with Clay 
3:30 pm, Webster Library
Artists explore the possibilities of self-expression through clay. Using basic hand building techniques (pinching, coiling, slabs) practiced by most cultures around the world, you'll create your own unique vessels and objects using both self-hardening and fire clay.  Presented by P. Oliver. No registration is required.
 
12/17: CB11 Holiday Party
8:30 pm: Terrence Cardinal Cooke Medical Center, 1249 Fifth Avenue
Join Community Board 11 for the Annual Holiday Party.
 
12/18: Mobile Hours with NYC Council Member Ben Kallos
 11:00 am - 2:00 pm,Webster Library
Join a representative from Council Member Ben Kallos's office to discuss important neighborhood topics. This is your opportunity to speak with local officials without leaving your neighborhood.
 
12/18: Database Research
 6:00 pm, Roosevelt Island Library
Learn how to conduct research using the databases available at NYPL. Our databases cover a wide range of subjects including literature, the hard and soft sciences, music and much more.
 
12/18: Webster @ the Movies: The Lincoln Lawyer 
11:15 am,Webster Library, Auditorium
Webster’s @ The Movies Presents: The Lincoln Lawyer
Mick Haller is a charismatic defense attorney who does business out of his Lincoln Continental sedan. Mick spends most of his time defending petty crooks and other bottom-feeders, so it comes as quite a surprise when he lands the case of a lifetime: defending a Beverly Hills playboy who is accused of attempted murder.
 
12/19: Film - THE TWELVE CHAIRS (1970),  
2:00 pm, 96th Street Library
The Twelve Chairs (1970)
In 1920’s Soviet Russia, a fallen aristocrat, a priest and a con artist search for a treasure of jewels hidden inside one of twelve dining chairs, lost during the revolution. ADMISSION IS FREE This film is 93 minutes in length.
 
12/19: New York City Council Member Keith Powers Mobile Office Hours
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm, Yorkville Library
Talk about the issue in the district you care about with Council Member Keith Powers' office, and work toward solutions.RSVP: kpowers@council.nyc.gov
 
12/19: 16mm Film Nights:Reel Classics: It's a Wonderful Life
4:00 pm,Webster Library, Auditorium
An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.The length of this film is 130 minutes.
The lecture is FREE and open to the public.  It is the second in Society’s annual series of fall lectures,
 
12/19: A lecture by Dave Frieder The Bridge Man
6:30 pm, Roosevelt Island Historical Society, New York Public Library Branch on Roosevelt Island,
Known as The Bridge Man, photographer Dave Frieder has climbed 20 of New York’s great bridges to photograph them in intimate and distinctive ways. His photographs are now published in a book, The Magnificent Bridges of New York City. 
 
12/20: Grand Victorian Christmas
8:00 PM, 421 East 61st Street New York, NY 10065
Immerse yourself in a traditional Victorian holiday celebration, including a fully decorated ballroom, music and caroling, Christmas treats, and photos with a vintage Santa. 
 
12/21: She Did, I Will Too! Asian Women Pioneers & their Journeys to Freedom
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Webster Library
Adventure through the skies, immerse yourself through time. Join us for an interactive workshop to ignite the confidence in every girl. Please fill out our optional survey to better curate our workshop Register online now for: She Did, I Will Too! Asian Women Pioneers & their Journeys to Freedom 

12/22: FDNY Community Menorah Lighting
4:30pm – 5:30pm L-102, 850 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, New York
You are invited to attend the NYC Fire Department’s 3^rd Annual Community Menorah Lighting. This celebration will bring community residents together to celebrate Chanukah and encourage fire safety throughout the holidays.
If you wish to attend, please RSVP to fabricio.caro@fdny.nyc.gov by December 16^th.   

12/23: Webster @ the Movies: Spider-Man: Far From Home 
11:15 am,Webster Library, Auditorium
Peter Parker's relaxing European vacation takes an unexpected turn when Nick Fury shows up in his hotel room to recruit him for a mission. This film is 130 minutes.
 
12/28: Webster @ the Movies: Rocketman 
 2:00 pm,Webster Library, Auditorium
Webster’s @ The Movies Presents: Rocketman Saturday, December 28th @ 2PM
Young Reginald Dwight changes his name to Elton John and collaborates with singer-songwriter Bernie Taupin to become one of the most iconic figures in pop history. This film is 121 minutes.
 
12/30: Webster @ the Movies: Shaft 
11:15 am,Webster Library, Auditorium
Webster’s @ The Movies Presents:  Shaft Monday, December 30th @ 11:15am 
John Shaft Jr. may be an FBI cyber security expert, but to uncover the truth behind his best friend's untimely death, he needs an education that only his dad can provide. This film is 111 minutes.


Events for Kids

CB6 Holiday Party 
 
12/1: Turtle Bay Association Annual Holiday Party
3:00 pm - 5:30 pm, Parnell's Restaurant 350 E 53rd St #1
Join the Turtle Bay Association for their Annual Holiday Party.
 
12/2, 12/ 9, 12/16, 12/ 23, 12/ 30: Early Literacy: Toddler Story Time
11:30 am, Yorkville Library, Meeting Room
Toddlers from 18-36 months old (Walkers) and their parents/caregivers can enjoy great books, lively songs, and rhymes, and meet other toddlers in the neighborhood. The Program is first come, first served, space is limited Please note: There is no elevator available, and stroller parking is limited.
 
12/2: Start Your Day with Art: Holiday Card Workshop
11:30 am, Webster Library, Auditorium
Visit the Webster Library for a relaxing morning of creative expression. We'll be making holiday cards today- all supplies provided! Join us and take home a piece of art to share with family and friends. First come, first served. No registration required.

12/3: SAC Tree Lighting
5:45 pm - 7:30 pm, 57th Street and East End Cul-De-Sac
Join the Sutton Area Community for their annual Tree Lighting.
 
12/3, 12/10, 12/17: Teen Space 
3:00- 5:00 pm, Webster Library 
Come hang out with your friends on Tuesday afternoons! Play board games, work on homework, read a book, exercise your creativity, or just chill. Laptops, assorted art supplies, and light snacks available.
 
12/3, 12/ 10, 12/ 17, 12/ 24, 12/ 31: Early Literacy: Baby Storytime
10:30 - 11:00 am, Yorkville Library, Meeting Room
Babies from birth to 18 months old (Pre-Walkers) and their parents/caregivers can enjoy great books, lively songs, and rhymes, and meet other babies in the neighborhood.
Program will be ticketed to 30 children and their caregivers. Tickets will be distributed at the door 15 minutes prior to the start of the program, Please note: There is no elevator available, and stroller parking is limited.
 
12/3: Graffiti Art Remix
 4:00 pm, 67th Street Library
Learn how to create traditional and futuristic graffiti art lettering and character design. Create the hottest manga and anime characters and mash with abstract, symmetrical and geometrical artwork. Presented by DJ SpazeCraft 
 
12/3: Found Objects Mask Making
 4:00 pm, 96th Street Library
Join us in this hands-on workshop where you will learn how just about anything can become part of a mask! From the smallest mask (a red clown nose) to gigantic parade headpieces, you will learn about mask making around the world. Our facilitator will show you how objects you might readily discard, such as bottles, cans, paper tubes, etc. can be recycled to create wearable masks. Every participant will create, and learn how to use his/her own original mask.
 
12/4, 12/11, 12/18: Game On! @ Webster
4:00 pm, Webster Library
Come in and test your gaming skills against your peers, with games such as Super Smash Brothers and Mario Kart for Wii. Feel like trying something new try playing on our PS4 with games such as Street Fighter 5 and TMNT, just to name a few. Also laptops will be available for anybody that's just wants to sit down and relax.
 
12/4: Early Literacy: Family Literacy Workshop: Pipette Drip Painting
 5:15 pm, Webster Library
Strengthen those fine motor skills and create some art. 
 
12/4: Meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors (REDAC)
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM., 680 Main Street Roosevelt Island, NY 10044
 
12/5, 12/12,12/19,12/26: Early Literacy: Family Storytime
11:00 am 11:30 am, 11:45 am  11:00 am, 11:30 am, 11:45 am ,Webster Library
Toddlers from birth to 3 years and their parents/caregivers can enjoy interactive stories, action songs, fingerplays, and spend time with other toddlers in the neighborhood. 
 
12/5: Writing the College Admissions Essay
4:00 pm, 67th Street Library
Do you need to write a personal essay for a college application? At this workshop, you’ll learn how to choose a meaningful topic and write a great essay that will make you stand out from the crowd! We'll also discuss ways to overcome anxiety and writer's block. Presented by Laurel Haines No registration is required.
 
12/5, 12/12, 12/19: Early Literacy: Preschool Story Time
10:30 am,Yorkville Library, Children's Room
Join us and come meet your friends at the library and listen to some of your favorite picture books. It's a great way to end a busy day. 
 
12/6, 12/13, 12/20,12/27: Puzzle Fun for Kids
3:00 - 4:00 pm,Yorkville Library, Children's Room
Join us and come to the library for some puzzles and fun! This program is great for all ages.
 
12/6, 12/ 13,12/20, 12/ 27: Learn To Play Chess at Webster
3:00 pm, Webster Library, Auditorium
Come join us for some board time Fridays at 3 pmpm Learn how to play, practice your skills, or to play a game. All materials will be provided, and an experienced instructor Timothy Mobley will lead the group.
 
12/6: Roosevelt Island Tree Lighting Ceremony 
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Lawn south of Rivercross (501 Main Street),
The Roosevelt Island Operation Cooperation is presenting their annual tree lighting ceremony, families and their children will be able to enjoy performances, be able to win free giveaways, prices and refreshments. There will also be live music from the house band, Funktion. For more about whether conditions and the schedule of the event please visit http://rioc.ny.gov/ or call 212- 832-4540
 
12/7, 12/14, 12/21, 12/28: Read to our New York Therapy Dog!
 10:30 am, Webster Library
Come read to our therapy dog Tugboat! These licensed therapy dogs and their owners can't wait for you to come read them a story. Enjoy one-on-one, no-pressure reading time with a furry friend! Pre-registration is required for each 15-minute slot and opens 1 week in advance.
For ages 5 and up. Available every Saturday!
 
12/7, 12/14, 12/ 21, 12/28: Kids' Coloring Club
10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Yorkville Library, Children's Room
Join us every Saturday morning from 10am-12pm for our Kids' Coloring Club -- children of all ages are invited to color coloring sheets featuring their favorite characters, seasonal designs, and more. Feel free to bring your favorite coloring book!
 
12/7, 12/14, 12/21,12/28: Read to Fritz, our New York Therapy Dog!
11:00 am,Yorkville Library, Children's Room
Come read to our therapy dog Fritz! These licensed therapy dogs and their owners can't wait for you to come read them a story. Enjoy one-on-one, no-pressure reading time with a furry friend! Pre-registration is required for each 15-minute slot and opens 1 week in advance.Available every Saturday in the children's story time room.
 
12/8: Holiday Tree Lighting at Carl Schurz Park
5:00-6:00 pm., 86th Street and East End Avenue
What began as a handful of intrepid carolers is now an event worthy of being featured in Betsy Pinover Schiff's new book Tis the Season New York. As has become our tradition Cantori New York & Orbital Brass will be there to help Carl Schurz Park Conservancy ring in the 2018 holiday season. Hot chocolate, candy canes, cookies and candles included!
 
12/8: New York Public Library's Annual Holiday Open House
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building Fifth Avenue & 42nd St.
Ring in the season of giving with fellow Library lovers and join in a proud Library tradition at the Holiday Open House party! Each year, the Stephen A. Schwarzman  Building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street transforms into a festive winter wonderland with a range of activities for guests of all ages.
 
12/9: 19th Precinct Holiday Party 
7:00p.m., St Vincents church basement at 66 and Lexington 
Following the monthly Community Council meeting, join the 19th Precinct for their Annual Holiday Party.

12/9: ESNA 2019 Holiday Sing
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm, TD Bank on southeast corner of First Avenue & East 67th Street
Join us for a festive evening as we are lead in song by the Jolly Holiday Singers, adorned in authentic Victorian attire.
 
12/12: Webster @ the Movies: The Grinch 
 4:00 pm, Webster Library, Auditorium
The Grinch and his loyal dog, Max, live a solitary existence inside a cave on Mount Crumpet. His main source of aggravation comes during Christmastime when his neighbours in Whoville celebrate the holidays with a bang. This film is 92 minutes in length.
 
12/13: Holiday Card Making Craft Time
 3:00 pm, Yorkville Library, Meeting Room
Join us it's Craft Time at Yorkville!!! Drop in for a quick craft.  Bring your creativity and make something special to take home.
 
12/13: East Harlem Holiday Tree Lighting
5:30pm., 106th Street & 3rd  Ave
Every year since December 2004, a group of volunteers who are dedicated to the East Harlem community have raised the funds to install a huge decorated tree at Franklin Plaza, corner of Third Avenue and East 106th Street. We proudly celebrate the 16th anniversary of our efforts this year. We invite you all to support this year's Holiday Tree.
 
12/15: Jewish Museum Hanukkah Family Day Festival
11:00pm - 4:00pm., Jewish Museum 1109 5th Ave Midtown, NY 10128 
Celebrate the festival of lights as a family at the Jewish Museum! Build a sculptural Hanukkah lamp with funky found objects - a Jewish Museum tradition. Dance to the pop-rock tunes of ShirLaLa, sketch Hanukkah lamps from around the globe on a gallery tour, watch a unique Hanukkah story come to life through a drawing performance by Jeff Hopkins, and collaborate on a giant work of art.
 
12/18: Home Sweet Home: Is Home a Sanctuary
6pm - 8pm RSVP REQUIRED
This coming month, Children's Museum of the Arts (CMA) will be ushering in a new exhibition on the theme of home. Home Sweet Home: Is Home A Sanctuary? will encourage children to explore their own ideas and values around what makes shelter meaningful. 
Children’s Museum of the Arts is pleased to present Home Sweet Home: Is a
Home a Sanctuary?, a group exhibition featuring Emilie Clark, Tom Fruin,
Todd Hido, Lucia Hierro, Ann Toebbe, Shinique Smith, and Letha Wilson in the
Cynthia C. Wainwright Gallery.

12/23: Kid Flicks
 4:00 pm, Yorkville Library, Meeting Room
Join us in our community room for our children's film showing.Watch short films based on popular picture books.The perfect way to meet up with friends and end a busy day.All films subject to last minute substitutions. Showing:  Brave Irene, Pluto's Christmas Tree, & The Snowy Day.
 
12/23: FDNY Celebrates Hanukkah 
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm, 9 Metrotech Center in Brooklyn
The New York City Fire Department cordially invites you to attend the FDNY celebration of Chanukah. Celebrate the Festival of Lights with the Ner Tamid Society and the Society for Diversity and Inclusion on Monday, December 3rd from 4:30 to 6:30pm at 9 Metrotech Center in Brooklyn. Wrapped gifts welcome for our toy drive for toys for tots.