Dear Neighbor, Happy Fourth of July as we celebrate our nations independence and remember that in every generation we must do our part to fight injustice. Last month, we won more victories in our fight against overdevelopment and for affordable housing. Community Board 6 set a quick 21-day timeline in June voting unanimously for a community-led rezoning of the Sutton Area that trades height for affordability. The Rent Guidelines Board which sets rents for 1.6 million rent-stabilized apartments voted for a low increase of 1.25% on one-year and 2% on two-year leases after two consecutive rent freezes. In June we celebrated Pride and graduations for both our students and PTA Presidents. I joined the Pride March and introduced legislation on behalf of East Side Middle School students to encourage Gender Sexuality Alliances. I also shared congratulations and the secret of life with students graduating from schools in the district and thanked PTA Presidents for their service. This summer, I hope you will take advantage of our parks, especially the Indoor airconditioned tennis courts at the Queensboro Oval now open to the public for as little as $15 or join me for Theatre in Carl Schurz Park. If you are as big a fan of healthy farm to table food as I am, I hope you will join me for Cooking with Kallos or participate in our Fresh Food Box one week to see how you like it. Even though we can't send our newsletter by electronic mail to those who subscribed through BenKallos.com for the next couple of months, we are keeping our promise to keep you informed by posting our newsletter on our website and circulating it through social media. If you want a printed copy you can come pick it up from our District Office. Please consider forwarding this newsletter on to anyone and everyone. Regards,
| SPECIAL EVENTS July 12 - 16, 7PM - 9PM July 16, 11AM – 1PM June 6, 13, 20, 27, 3:30PM – 6:30PM DISTRICT OFFICE EVENTS July 7, 8AM – 10AM July 11, 6PM – 7PM July 11, 19, 26, 11AM – 2PM July 10, 17,19, 24, 31, 3PM – 6PM July 27, 6:30PM – 7:30PM |
Table of Contents
Housing
- Rezoning Victory at CB6, Now on to City Planning
- Low Increases for Rent Stabilized Apartments and Rent Freeze for Seniors and Disabled
Parks
Health
- Upper East Side Legionnaires Cluster Update
- Automatic Benefits Hearing
- Global Sampling Day
- Rat Academy
- Buy Produce from the Farm and Cooking With Kallos
Education
- Celebrating Pride with Legislation to Encourage Gender Sexuality Alliances
- Eleanor Roosevelt High School's New Music Room and Retirement of Parent Coordinator
- Recognizing Parent-Teacher Association Leaders
- Graduations
Transportation
- Opposing Cuts to East and West Side Bus Service
- Bike Safety: Ebikes, Free Helmets, and Inspring Barcelona
Good Government
Community
Events
- Council Events
- Events Supportted with Funding from My Office
- Community Meetings
- Community Events for Kids
- Community Events for Adults
HOUSING
Rezoning Victory at CB6, Now on to City Planning
The Upper East Side’s voice is unanimous on whether the Sutton area should be rezoned to cap new development at 260 feet. Not only are neighborhood associations and elected officials in support but also is Community Board 6 which as reported by DNAinfo recently voted unanimously in support of the East River 50 Alliance zoning proposal meant keep superscrapers out of the neighborhood. Although non-binding, this Community Board vote is the latest form of support for a rezoning plan that I helped put together for residents of the Sutton area and have been supporting and advocating for since day one. At some point, this summer the City Planning Commission will have the last word on whether the rezoning plan is implemented or not. For more information on this proposal see NY1’s coverage and to join the fight against superscrapers sign the petition at BenKallos.com/petition/SuttonPlace
Low Increases for Rent Stabilized Apartments and Rent Freeze for Seniors and Disabled
For the fourth consecutive year, I rallied, authored sign-on letters, testified and advocated for the Rent Guidelines Board to vote in favor of a rent rollback for 1.6 million rent-stabilitzed apartments and won a low increase of 1.25% on one year and 2% on two year leases. Over the past four years we have supported the Rent Justice Coalition, Urban Justice Center and Met Council on Housing and led fellow elected officials in securing two consecutive rent freezes. We must fight every year to keep our rents low so that millions of New Yorkers can afford to live in this great city. Join our fight for a Rent Roll Back at BenKallos.com/petition/RentRollBack
You may still qualify for a rent freeze if you are over 62 or disabled, with a household income of $50,000 or less, live in a rent-regulated apartment and spend more than 1/3 of your income on rent. In June we sponsored a Rent Freeze pop-up with Department of Finance to assist rent-burdened residents. For more information call my office or visit NYC.gov/RentFreeze
PARKS
Tennis Bubble Now Open to the Public
In June, I joined Commissioner Silver to open the indoor clay tennis courts at the Queensboro Oval to the public for the summer. After years fighting alongside Community Board 8 Manhattan Parks Committee to open this park to the public, we finally did. The air-conditioned tennis facility features eight clay courts, six of which are made available to parks tennis permit holders. Tennis permits are available for the year for $100 for adults, $20 for seniors over the age of 62, $10 for children under 18, or single play and reservations are $15. This year’s permits have already increased by 3,500. Read the press release and get your permit now NYCgovParks.org/permits/tennis-permits
Please join the All-Free New York Classical Theatre for Sheridan's The Rivals in Carl Schurz Park at 86th Street and East End from Wednesday, July 12 to Sunday, July 16, from 7PM to 9PM. Learn more at NewYorkClassical.org.
All FREE N.Y. Classical Theatre:
Sheridan’s “The Rivals”
July 12 - 16, 7PM
Carl Schurz Park, 86th Street and East End Avenue
RSVP
HEALTH
Upper East Side Legionnaires Cluster Update
We have had no new cases of Legionaires' Disease on the Upper East Side and though we lost one person to Legionaires all six of the other patients who had been hospitalized have been released.
What seperated this cluster from what happened in the Bronx in 2015 where over 100 people were infected and 10 people died was two big changes. The first was in 2015, following the outbreak in the Bronx I co-sponsored legislation introduced by Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito signed into Local Law 77 of 2015 to require registration, inspection, cleaning, disinfecting, testing, and annual certification in order to reduce and contain the growth of Legionella in cooling towers, which causes Legionnaires'. The second, was after 116 cooling towers had been tested with cultures sent out for a two-week test, I demanded immediate action and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) agreed to not wait two-weeks and immediately ordered biocide disinfection of 43 cooling towers.
As reported by ABC7, DOHMH announced on Friday, June 16, that they had identified cluster in the Lenox Hill Neighborhood earlier that week on June 14, and had already tested all 116 cooling towers in the area. That day we scheduled an information session with Lenox Hill Neighborhood House for Monday, June 19, and on that Friday evening I was out canvassing with the Mayor's office to raise awareness about the Legionaires' Disease cluster in the neighborhood to make sure no one else died from a disease that can be treated with anti-biotics if caught in time. For more information watch the coverage on ABC7, FOX 5, PIX 11, read the release, or our alert.
In 2015, the New York Times covered my "Automatic Benefits" legislation to provide the benefits people need automatically. New York City’s public assistance programs are substantially under-enrolled by hundreds of thousands if not millions of residents who aren't getting the help they need. Residents eligible for assistance are not participating in these programs, some out of pride or the stigma associated with welfare, many others either because they’re unaware these programs exist, don’t know how to apply, or don’t know how to navigate the bureaucracy and paperwork required to receive assistance.
In the time since introducing this legislaiton, I helped secure $5 million in funding to study the impacts of this policy at New York Presbyterian, partnered with Intuit and the federal government to release free and open source software to make it easier for people to apply for benefits, collaborated with Robin Hood Foundation and Gov Lab at NYU on a memorandum for the federal government outlining a pathway, and discussed “Making Government Automatic For the People” at Personal Democracy Forum.
On June 27, we held a hearing where the legislation gained widespread support from 1199 SEIU, AARP, Hunger Free America, faculty at NYU Langone, Columbia Unviersity and NYU. We were honored to have testimony in support from Intuit and Beth Simone Noveck author of Wiki Government, founder of Gov Lab at NYU and former director of the White House Open Government Initiative.
Watch the hearing or learn more and add your support at BenKallos.com/legislation/introduction-855-2015-automatic-benefits
I am proud to represent the city's hospital corridor with some of the brightest minds who are doing great things for public health. I had the privilege of joining Dr. Christopher Mason from Weill Cornell for the third consecutive year collecting genetic information on June 21: Global Sampling Day. This year we swabbed the new 72nd street stop of the 2nd Avenue subway for bacteria and organisms that are on the surfaces we touch each and every day. Thank you to Dr. Mason for his research on this topic and giving me the opportunity to take part in this global research. Watch the coverage on NY1.
Following reports of rats outside a public school on Roosevelt Island, we worked closely with the Roosevelt Islander and Roosevelt Island Operating Corportation (RIOC) to advocate with the School's Chancellor and City Hall for immediate remediation which resulted in bating, putting down gravel and a concrete slab to exterminate colonies and prevent further growth. We continue to support RIOC in ensuring that trash is only put out in approved sealed containers for pick up by the Department of Sanitation. In order to address concerns about other rats on the island, we worked with RIOC and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygien to schedule a free "Rat Academy" in June to address remaining concerns and provide training for building service workers, businesses and residents. If you've got a rat problem on your block contact my office so we can help. Learn more on the Roosevelt Islander.
Buy Produce from the Farm and Cooking With Kallos
The GrowNYC’s Fresh Food Box at my district office continues to see growing turnout as more and more residents sign up each week for a $14 bag of locally farmed produce to pick up the following week. If you are interested come to my office any Thursday between 3:30PM and 6:00PM. Learn more at BenKallos.com/FreshFoodBox
Join me at the Stanley Isaacs Greenmarket from 11AM to 1PM on Sunday, July 16th, for Cooking with Kallos alongside representatives from GrowNYC, where you can snack on and learn great recipes that you can make with food from the greenmarket that I am proud to sponsor. Email to volunteer as one of our Kallos Cooks or RSVP at BenKallos.com/Events
Cooking with Kallos at Stanley Isaacs Greenmarket
Sunday, July 16, 11AM – 1PM
First Avenue between 92nd and 93rd Streets
RSVP
EDUCATION
Celebrating Pride with Legislation to Encourage Gender Sexuality Alliances
The New York Daily News reported on the adovcacy of East Side Middle School Students who authored legislation that I was proud to introduce with LGBT Advocate and Education Committee Chair Danny Dromm to support LGBTQ youth in public schools with Gender Sexuality or Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA) that operate in many New York City Schools. Read the release, the legislation, or coverage in New York Daily News and DNAinfo.
In celebration of New York City’s Pride parade, I attended the NYC Pride parade and marched alongside Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Jerry Nadler, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, and fellow Councilmembers as an ally of the LGBTQ community. Check out photos from Pride March at FaceBook.com/BenKallos/photos
Eleanor Roosevelt High School's New Music Room and Retirement of Parent Coordinator
In June I was proud to cut the ribbon at a newly finished music room at Eleanor Roosevelt High School. The room was finished with $54,000 in funds I allocated from discretionary spending. In June, I had the opportunity to recognize two individuals in these roles at local schools with Citations for their years of exemplary service. It was also my honor to present a citation for Marty Trachtenberg who served as Eleanor Roosevelt High School’s Parent Coordinator for 14 years.
Recognizing Parent-Teacher Association Leaders
A school is only as strong as its Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). I work closely with PTAs to ensure their schools are getting the resources they need. Two PTA Co-Presidnets have served their PTAs for longer than I have been in office meriting recognition from the City of New York with my presentation of citations to:
- P.S. 198 PTA - Phil Horton
- P.S. 151 PTA - Nesli Ciner
Each year I have the privilege of sharing all the wisdom I've got to share in just a moment at graduations throughout the district. This year I had the pleasure of speaking at P.S. 59, P.S. 77, P.S 151, P.S. 198, P.S. 183, P.S. 290, East Side Middle School, Yorkville East Middle School, and Eleanor Roosevelt High School. Thank you to Principals for having me and the honor of addressing the graduates, parents, and teachers. If you’d like me to speak at your school’s graduation next year, or even stop by your class during the year, whether you are a teacher, student, parent or administrator please email scheduler@benkallos.com.
TRANSPORTATION
Opposing Cuts to East and West Side Bus Service
When I learned about a proposal by the MTA released over Father's Day weekend for cut service cuts of up to 33% to four bus lines crucial to the Upper East Side, Upper West Side and Midtown I sprang to action leading a coalition of elected officials in opposition. Congress Members Maloney and Nadler, Manhattan Borough President Brewer, Council Member Garodnick, State Senators Krueger, Hoylman and Serrano, and Assembly Members Seawright and Quart joined me in a letter to the MTA objecting to cuts to the M31, M57, M66, and M72 of 11% to 33% increasing scheduled wait times by as much as five minutes for 20 minutes between buses. You can read our letter at BenKallos.com/Press-Releases
Bike Safety: Ebikes, Free Helmets, and Inspiring Barcelona
FOX 5, reported on my bike safety program and that e-bikes remain illegal to operate in New York City. I sponsored Department of Transportation for a free bike helmet fitting and giveaway at Rooselvet Island Day. In June I also had the pleasure of meeting with Alfred Bosch a Council Member from Barcelona who was inspired by our bike safety program and is interested in bringing it to Spain.
Drivers, pedestrians, and cyclist alike have all expressed concerns about their own safety in relation to e-bikes. In response, we’ve expanded our Bike Safety Program with Council Member Garodnick to cover the Upper East Side and Midtown East within the 17th and 19th precincts. Injuries are down for motorists and pedestrians. The program focuses on Education, Equipment, and Enforcement.
FREE Equipment with Education:- Vests, Lights, Bells and Helmets for Delivery Bikes following training class.
- A 90-minute training class in English, Spanish and Chinese.
- Lights and Bells for Recreational and Commuting Cyclists coupled with education.
- Free Helmets.
- New Bikes for NYPD Bike Patrol.
The NYPD presented new statistics from the summer 2016 initiatives and recent expansion of the program, including:
- 17,615 moving violations issued to vehicles
- 6,123 violations for improper turns,
- 3,003 violations for disobeying a traffic control device
- 1,450 violations for not giving right of way to pedestrians, among other violations.
- 70 seizures of illegal “E-bikes”
- 36 Environmental Control Board (ECB) summonses issued.
- 15 motorcycles have also seized.
We’ve also added a protected bike lane on 2nd Avenue and bike lanes to 70th & 71st and 77th & 78th Streets.
Learn more at BenKallos.com/BikeSafety
GOOD GOVERNMENT
How the City spends spends every peny of your tax dollars should be trasnparent and accountable to you the people. This is why I authored the Open Budget Act, Introduction 1176, with Finance Chair Ferreras-Copeland. Last year, I was proud to announce that I was been able to work with the Speaker and Finance Chair as well as Mayor and Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to put much of the budget online on NYC Open Data. In June, the Open Budget Act was heard to expand upon and codify a requirement to publish our city's budget online, with testimony in support from BetaNYC and the Citizens Budget Commission. Share your support at BenKallos.com/legislation/introduction-1176-2016-open-budget-new-york-city
COMMUNITY
June's been busy with our Overdevelopment Forum, Annual Roosevelt Island Town Hall, Roosevelt Island Rat Academy, Roosevelt Island Day, Cooking with Kallos, Adoption Event with Animal Care Center of NYC at Carl Schurz Park, Skate Night at Stanley Isaacs, Movie Nights, Holmes Towers/Stanley Isaacs Festival, the Lenox Hill Street Fair, Israel Day Parade, Pride March, Annual Shareholder Meetings, Legionaires' Disease Information Session, and so much more.
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If you would like us to join you at your annual meeting or other community event please email scheduler@benkallos.com.
RESOURCES
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.
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:
Housing Clinics, Every Monday
Family Law and Domestic Violence, 1st Tuesday
Life Planning Clinic, 3rd Wednesday
Land Use and Landmarking Clinic, 2nd Thursday (5pm-6pm)
Please call my office at 212-860-1950 in advance to schedule your appointment.
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
Each year my office provides discretionary funding to non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations that serve residents of Council District 5. We have curated a list of resources funded in part by my office so that you can take advantage of them for free.
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.
EVENTS
City Council Events7/7: First Friday
8:00am-10:00am, District Office, 244 East 93rd Street
Meet Ben in person and meet with your neighbors to discuss what's important to you. Feel free to drop in or leave at any time during First Friday. Learn about what is happening in your community and how to get involved in working together to make our neighborhood a better place to live.
RSVP
7/11: Brainstorm with Ben
6:00pm, District Office, 244 East 93rd Street
Brainstorm with Ben is a chance for residents who have a policy idea they want to pitch and help implement; the goal is to empower residents who are looking to do the research, community organizing, and advocacy needed to turn ideas into real solutions.
RSVP
7/12 - 7/16: All FREE N.Y. Classical Theatre Sheridan’s “The Rivals”
7:00pm - 9:00pm, Carl Schurz Park, 86th Street and East End Avenue
RSVP
7/16: Cooking with Kallos
11:00am - 1:00pm, Stanley Isaacs Green Market at 92nd and First
See Above
RSVP
7/6, 7/13, 7/20, 7/27: Fresh Foodbox
3:30pm – 6:30pm, District Office, 244 East 93rd Street
See Above
7/27: CitiBike Safety Class
6:30pm - 8:00pm, District Office, 244 East 93rd Street
RSVP
Events Supported with Funding from My Office
7/8: Cider and Ale Tasting
5:00pm-7:00pm, Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden, 421 East 61st Street
Join New York Adventure Club at our historic museum for a special ale and cider tasting in our private garden along with a brief history of New Yorkers drink preferences in the 19th century. Enjoy after-hours tours of the period rooms and delicious Blue Point Colonial Ale and Stella Artois cider, while socializing with other historically-centric New Yorkers. 21 and older.
7/16: Grand Victorian Garden Tea
4:00pm, Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden, 421 East 61st Street
Join us for a summer high tea! We are teaming up with Gemini and Scorpio to host a proper tea party with finger sandwiches, scones, and fancies in our darling garden attached to an impossible Victorian cottage overlooking modern Manhattan. Dress code: 1800s- 1910s summer garden party with all white, cream, and pastel colors encouraged. No modern casual wear, please. In case of rain, outdoor covering provided. All guests will have access to the museum as well as the garden. For more information and tickets, go to http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2553869
Community Board Meetings
7/5: Community Board 8 (59th to 96th Streets) Transportation Committee Hearing
6:30pm-9:00pm, New York Blood Center Auditorium, 310 East 67th Street
7/10: Community Board 8 (59th to 96th Streets), Housing Committee Meeting
6:30pm-9:00pm, Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center Dining Room A and B, 415 East 93rd Street
7/10: Community Board 6 (14th to 59th Streets) Transportation Committee Hearing
7:00pm, NYU Langone Medical Center, 550 First Avenue Room Coles 101
7/11: Community Board 8 (59th to 96th Streets), Street Life Committee Meeting
6:30pm-9:00pm, Marymount Manhattan College Regina Peruggi Room, 221 East 71st Street
7/12: Community Board 11 (96th to 145th Streets) Land Use, Landmarks, and Planning Meeting
6:00pm-7:00pm, TBD
7/18: Community Board 11 (96th to 145th Streets) Full Board Meeting and Public Hearing
6:30pm-8:30pm, TBD
New York Police Department
First Monday: 19th Precinct Community Council
7:00pm, 153 East 67th Street
Third Thursday: 23rd Precinct Community Council
6:00pm, 162 East 102nd Street
Fourth Tuesday: 17th Precinct Community Council
6:00pm, 167 East 51st
Neighborhood and Tenant Associations
First Wednesday, 7/5: Roosevelt Island Resident’s Association Common Council Meeting8:00pm-10:00pm, Good Sheperd (Downstairs), 543 Main Street
Monthly Meeting of RIRA Common Council. The public may request an opportunity to speak by contacting RIRA President Jeffrey Escobar at jeffrey.escobar@gmail.com prior to the meeting or upon arrival at 7:45 pm.
First Wednesday, 7/5: Lexington Houses Tenant Association
6:00pm, 1539 Lexington Avenue
Second Tuesday, 7/11: Stanley Isaacs Tenant Associations
7:00pm, Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center, 415 East 93rd Street
Third Tuesday, 7/18: Holmes Towers Tenant Association
7:00pm, Stanley Isaaacs Neighborhood Center, 415 East 93rd Street
Third Thursday, 7/20: East 79th Street Neighborhood Association
6:00pm-8:00pm, Upper East Side Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 211 East 79th Street
Every Monday: Baby Storytime
11:00 am, Roosevelt Island Library
Babies from birth to 18 months old and their parents/caregivers can enjoy great books, lively songs, and rhymes, and meet other babies in the neighborhood.
Every Monday: Baby Play Time
11:30 am, Roosevelt Island Library
Babies can play with toys and get to know their neighbors. For children ages 0-18 months.
Every Tuesday (except July 4th): What is Transportation?
4:00pm, Webster Library
In this 4-session series, Pre-K and Kindergarten age children will learn about transportation and how we get around by land, by air, and by water. They will engage in hands-on activities including creating boats and airplanes! Register in advance at the library.
Every Wednesday: Toddler Storytime
10:15 am & 11:15 am, Roosevelt Island Library
Toddlers from 18 months to 3 years and their parents/caregivers can enjoy interactive stories, action songs, fingerplays, and spend time with other toddlers in the neighborhood.
Every Wednesday: Toddler Play Time
10:45am & 11:45am, Roosevelt Island Library
Toddlers can play with toys and get to know their neighbors. For ages 18 months to 3 years.
Every Wednesday: Tinker Shop Summer 2017
1:00pm, Roosevelt Island Library
In this 4-session series, children ages 5-12 will learn how to "tinker" productively. Library staff will guide kids through fun, child-centered, science-based maker workshops! Register in advance at the library.
Every Wednesday: Toddler Time
11:00am, 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. There is a limit of 15 children and their caregivers. Tickets are given out the morning of the program on a first come, first serve basis.
Every Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday
2:00pm, Yorkville Library
Join us for Wacky Wednesday afternoons at the library this month for a rotating series of classic group games and S.T.E.A.M. challenges. First come, first serve.
Every Thursday: Fun in the Sun
11:30am, 67th Street Library
Part of the Summer Reading Program, Fun in the Sun is a Summer Music event with Music for Aardvarks Best Summer Songs about the best parts of summer and Rock-n-Roll summer classics like Rockaway Beach, Surfin USA! Best for babies, toddlers and their caregivers.
Every Thursday (except the 13th): Picture Book Story Time
2:00pm, Yorkville Library
Come meet your friends at the library and listen to some of your favorite picture books. Ages 3+
Every Saturday: Kids’ Coloring Club
10:00am- 12:00pm, Yorkville Library
Children of all ages are invited to color coloring sheets and are welcome to bring their favorite coloring book!
Every Saturday: Read to Fritz the Therapy Dog!
11:00am, Yorkville Library
Enjoy one-on-one, no-pressure reading time with a licensed therapy dog! Pre-registration is required for each 15-minute slot and opens 1 week in advance. For ages 5 and up
7/10: Movie Monday: Robot & Frank (2012)
3:30pm, 67th Street Library
Come out and enjoy this movie about an aging thief's love of crime is reinvigorated when his son gives him a robot caretaker. Together, the robber and his mechanical pal help save the local library. The film is rated PG-13 and is 90 minutes.
7/10: Mystery Monday Book Discussion
4:00pm, 67th Street Library
Join a discussion about July’s Mystery Monday book My Husband’s Wife by Jane Corry
7/10: Preschool STREAM: Shapes
4:00pm, Yorkville Library
This series explores different areas of STEAM through read-alouds, group demonstrations, and hands-on activities. This month's theme is shapes! For children ages 3-6 and their caregivers. Registration required in person or by calling 212-744-5824.
7/10-7/14 (Session 1, Ages 9-12), 7/17-7/21 (Session 2, Ages 6-8): Summer 2017 History Weeks
8:30am-3:30pm (Session 1), 9:00am-12:00pm (Session 2), Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden, 421 East 61st Street
For two weeks in July, children explore life in 19th century New York city via historic crafts and games, behind-the-scenes tours, old fashioned cooking, scavenger hunts, and field trips to historic sites. On the last day, campers create their own exhibits and lead their guests on a tour of the museum. Mid morning snacks provided. Session One should bring a brown bag lunch. $275 for Session 1, $200 for Session 2. Call 212-838-6878 for more information.
7/12: BIG TALK: Diversity
4:00pm, Webster Library
This workshop breaks down discussions of race, gender, sexuality and more. For ages 12-18.
7/13: NASA Academy Rocket Science 1 and 2
1:00pm, Roosevelt Island Library
A Summer Reading Program Explore the science involved in rocket construction as you build your own Skyblazer Rocket™ that you can take home! Best for ages 5 and older. Presented by Mad Science
7/13: Fruit and Veggie Prints
4:00pm, Webster Library
Children will use fruits and vegetables to create prints. They will dip the fruits and vegetables into printing ink and stamp them onto paper in patterns. Ages 4+
7/17, 7/31: Open-Ended Art
11:00 am, Webster Library Auditorium
Come for an hour of uninterrupted, creative fun. Pick and choose from our craft supplies to make a masterpiece to take home.
7/20: Sensory Storytime
11:00am, Roosevelt Island Library
A fun new interactive library literacy program, designed to engage kids through movement, music, stories and sensory activity play. This program is open to all and is ideal for children with autism spectrum disorders, sensory integration challenges or children who have difficulty sitting still.
7/22 : Webster @ the Movies: Wonder Woman Animated (2009, PG-13)
2:00pm, Webster Library Auditorium
7/24: Kid Flicks
4:00pm, Yorkville Library
Watch short films based on popular picture books like Harold & The Purple Crayon
7/28: July Craft Time
2:00pm, Yorkville Library
Drop in for a quick craft. Bring your creativity and make something special to take home. Ages 3+
7/31: Manga Drawing Workshop
3:30pm, 67th Street Library
Part of the Summer Reading Program, join Misako Rocks and learn how to draw your own characters, plot your stories, and more! All materials will be provided. For ages 13-18 years old.
Every Monday and Thursday: Perelman Mile-Plus Walk
12:00pm-12:30pm, New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, 525 East 68th Street
Walking is a great way to get active, and it’s totally free! Participate in this approximately mile-long walk that start at the entrance of New York Presbyterian and leads you on a scenic walk along the East River Esplanade from 71st Street to 63rd Street. Weather permitting. Will not take place 7/4.
Every Monday through Saturday: Quiet Study Room
Mondays and Thursdays 12:00pm -5:00pm, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 1:00pm-5:00pm, Fridays and Saturdays 10:00am-3:00pm, 67th Street Library
No talking, no cell phone, and no noise are required in our quiet study room. This room is open thanks to our volunteers and is subject to their availability.
Every Tuesday: Tour of Gracie Mansion
Tours offered from 10:00am-3:00pm, Gracie Mansion, Carl Schurz Park, 88th Street and East End
Take a free tour of the historic mayor’s residence at Gracie Mansion! Photo ID required for entrance. No photography permitted in the interior. At the present time, tours are available in English only. No tours offered 7/4. To register, visit on.nyc.gov/gracietour
Every Tuesday (except July 4th): Adult One-on-One Computer Help Workshop
11:00am-12:30pm, Yorkville Library
Work one-on-one with a volunteer tutor. Improve Internet skills, create, and use e-mail, Microsoft Office. Pre-registration required in person or by phone at 212.744.5824.
Every Tuesday: Cardio Fitness Piloxing
5:30pm-6:30pm, New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Cayuga Room, 525 East 68th Street
Sweat it out at high-energy, weekly piloxing classes that combine boxing, standing pilates, and dance. Taught by a certified piloxing instructor with an ear for upbeat music. Exercise at your own pace. No registration required. No class 7/4.
Every Tuesday: Tai-Chi
3:00pm-4:00pm, 31 E 88th Street
Ancient movements and balance to strengthen legs, ankles, knees, and hips. Sponsored by Health Advocated For Older People
Every Wednesday: Learn to Play Chess for Adults
2:00pm, Webster Library
Whether you are a beginner or a more advanced player you can learn the strategies that will make you a better chess player.
Every Wednesday: Mindfulness Meditation
12:30pm-1:00pm, New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Cofer Memorial Chapel, 525 East 68th Street
Come to learn, practice, or perfect your Mindfulness Meditation. Mindfulness meditation is the practice of intentionally focusing on the present moment, paying attention to the sensations, thoughts, and emotions that arise. See improvements in both physical and psychological symptoms as well as positive changes in health attitudes and behaviors. No registration required.
Every Thursday: HandsOnly CPR
1:30pm-2:30pm, New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Greenberg Pavilion, 525 East 68th Street
Learn hands-only CPR! Hands-only CPR is easy and involves no mouth to mouth contact-only pushing hard and fast on the chest. Hopefully, you'll never have to use it, but your preparedness could save a life. Does not offer certification. To register - call (212) 746-9294 or email perelmanheartedu@nyp.org.
Thursdays and Every Saturday: Computer Tutoring Sessions
Thursday 7/13, 7/20, 7/27 5:30pm, Every Saturday 12:00pm or 2:00pm, 67th Street Library
One-on-one tutoring sessions designed to help you 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 or stop by to sign up as space is limited and get a personal tutor at your service!
Every Friday: We Are New York (WANY) English Conversation, Groups
10:30am- 12:30pm, Roosevelt Island Library
WANY is an Emmy Award-winning half hour TV show where each episode is about an everyday situation. It was created to help people practice English and is designed for Intermediate Level ESOL learners. First come, first served limited to 16 seats.
Every Friday: Strengthen and Tone Your Muscles
10:45am-11:45am, 341 E 8th Street
Safe, gentle exercise, using weights, if desired. Sponsored by Health Advocated For Older People
Every Saturday: English Conversation Group
11:00am-1:00pm, 67th Street Library
Adults ages 16+ are invited to join in the conversation with native speakers to discuss anything from current events to family life in order to practice and improve English conversation skills. This program is designed for intermediate level ESOL in partnership with New York Cares.
Every Saturday: Matinee Movies
12:30pm, Church of the Holy Trinity, 341 E 87th Street
Sponsored by Health Advocated For Older People. Movies for July include Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, La La Land, Jackie, Nerua and Fences.
Every Sunday: Summer Sunset Sundays
Sunset, FDR Four Freedoms Park
Enjoy twilight evenings at the Park on Sundays in July!
7/1: Popular Films-Captain America: Civil War
2:00pm, 96th Street Library
7/3, 7/17: Yorkville Writing Circle
5:30pm, Yorkville Library
All writing styles, levels, and genres are welcomed. Participants will free write in our quiet Community Room and have the opportunity to discuss their work with other participants.
7/6: Finding Our Way: A Discussion of Spirituality and Survivorship
5:30pm, Zuckerman Research Center, 417 East 68th Street
The cancer experience can leave survivors and those close to them questioning their spiritual beliefs, redefining them, or having a more intense connection with their own belief system. Rev. Jill Bowden, Director, Chaplaincy Services and Senior Clinical Social Worker Melissa Stewart, LCSW-R, will lead a discussion about how this profound experience can affect one’s spiritual self. Open to all who have been treated for cancer. To register, call 646-888-8106 or email RLAC@mskcc.org.
7/ 8: Time Management: Practical Strategies that Can Change Your Life!
2:00pm, Yorkville Library
Speaker, trainer, and certified professional coach, Barbara Phillips, will share practical strategies that have the power to change your life! Topics covered include multi-tasking, overcoming procrastination, managing distractions, and prioritizing.
7/9-7/30: Be Amazed
Roosevelt Island Visual Art Association, 527 Main Street
21 Major Works by Malcolm Hazeldean.
7/10, 7/17: Cardiac Corner- Blood Pressure Screening
10:30am-11:30am, New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Greenberg Pavilion, 525 East 68th Street
Blood pressure is one of the most important screenings. Come and get it done!
7/11, 7/18: Falun Dafa Meditation & Exercise Class
4:00pm-5:00pm, Yorkville Library
Learn the practice of meditation, increase energy and vitality, eliminate stress, and enjoy peace of mind!
7/11: Adult Art Therapy
5:00pm - 6:00pm, 96th Street Library
Come relax and color! Coloring sheets, coloring books, crayons and coloring pencils shall be provided, but feel free to also bring your own coloring utensils
7/11: New Exhibit: The Rise of Newspapers in the 19th Century
Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden, 421 East 61st Street
Controversial elections, voting rights, abolition, and slavery! In 1820s New York, while these issues burned in the minds of the public—newspapers exploded and competed as forums for debate! This exhibit looks at the newly exploding newspaper industry of the 1820s –and the entry of women and African Americans into the business of print. The exhibit opens July 11th.
7/11: Intermediate Excel
11:00am-1:00pm, 67th Street Library
This class continues to build on Excel for Beginners to give students a solid foundation in Excel. Topics include: Absolute vs Relative Cell References, Errors, Freeze Panes, Conditional Formatting, Printing Spreadsheets, Filter, Sort, Remove Duplicates, and Autofill Skills Required: be able to use a mouse and keyboard, open files and folders, Enter Data, select and format cells, write a basic formula and function & Copy and Paste. This class is first come, first serve.
7/12: Manhattanhenge: Archtober Summer Kickoff
6:00pm-9:00pm, FDR Four Freedoms Park
Twice a year, the sun sets perfectly in line with the NYC street grid creating a unique event nicknamed “Manhattanhenge.” This year, the Park is partnering with Center for Architecture to kick-off Archtober, the month-long celebration of Architecture & Design in New York City. Registration required.
7/13, 7/27: eBook Help
11:00am, Yorkville Library
Get one-on-one help downloading library books and audio books via SimplyE, 3M and OverDrive platforms in a 15-minute session. Please bring your phone, tablet or e-Reading device. Please sign up personally at Yorkville Library or call 212-744-5824.
2:30pm, Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center, 300 East 66th Street
Connect with other former Breast Cancer patients and help each other make sense of your experiences and continue on the path to healing. Run by a licensed social worker. Only open to those treated for breast cancer. To register, call 646-888-8106 or email RLAC@mskcc.org.
7/18: Neuropathy Care in Cancer Survivorship
5:30pm, Rockefeller Research Laboratories, 430 East 61st Street
Join us for this educational program on the latest strategies of neuropathy care. This program will be led by members of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center rehabilitation department who will share techniques and tips for coping with this challenging side effect of treatment. Open to all people who have had cancer. To register, call 646-888-8106 or email RLAC@mskcc.org.
7/18: Healthy Heart Talks-Pre-Diabetes to Diabetes: Is it Inevitable?
1:00pm-2:00pm, New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Greenberg Pavilion, 525 East 68th Street
Come listen to informal, interactive presentations related to heart health given by New York Presbyterian professionals.
7/18: Excel Genius Class 1: Logic Functions
11:00am, 67th Street Library
Part of a seven class series designed for those who have taken the Beginner and Intermediate Excel classes, this first class covers how to use conditional logic in formulas and functions, allowing you to create formulas that act differently in different circumstances. Topics covered include: IF statements, nested IF statements, AND OR NOT logic functions. Though helpful to attend all seven classes in order there is no attendance requirement.
7/19: Stress Management
5:30pm, Yorkville Library
Find out what causes stress and how to deal with it. The session is led by a physician of Weill Medical Center.
7/22: Career Transition: Job Search 101
2:00pm, Yorkville Library
Speaker, trainer, and certified professional coach, Barbara Phillips, will help you get greater clarity on key elements of the job search process and explain key tools for finding a “best fit” job.
7/24: Don’t Be Fooled by Fake News
11:00am, Yorkville Library
Come learn about the thing everyone is talking about-Fake News! In this class, you will learn what fake news is, how to analyze news sources for credibility, and practice looking over sample articles to determine their validity
7/25: Excel Genius Class 2: Conditional Stat Functions
11:00am-1:00pm, 67th Street Library
The second class in the 7 part series covers how to take the basic logic from Class 1 and use it to create functions that process data based on conditions. Topics include SUMIF/AVERAGEIF/COUNTIF and SUMIFS/AVERAGEIFS/COUNTIFS.
7/26: Facebook Basics
12:00pm, Yorkville Library
Need some help navigating Facebook? Learn how to catch up with friends and family, share photos, and much more on the popular online social network. Must have an active Email account.
7/28: Hearst Fellows Symposium
2:00pm, Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden, 421 East 61st Street
The Museum’s Hearst Fellows will present their original research on new York City in the 1830s. Topics will include 19th-century immigration and assimilation as well as newspapers and the printing industry. Refreshments to follow. Free with admission. Free for Museum Members.
7/29 : Webster @ the Movies: Justice League Dark (2017, Rated R)
2:00pm, Webster Library Auditorium
7/31: Coloring for Adults
2:00pm, Webster Library
Art supplies, cookies, and calming music will be provided. Ages 18+