1/7, 1PM-3PM
State of the District
1/17, 7PM, Town Hall with
Mayor de Blasio
1/5, 8AM - 10AM
First Friday
1/9, 6PM - 7PM
Brainstorm with Ben
Happy New Year!
Thank you to all those who voted for me for a second term as well as the residents and community leaders who partnered with my office over the past four years to accomplish the many victories we've won. Please join me Sunday at my State of the District address as we review the fights we've won and those to come.
As my first term came to a close we passed some of our most important legislation to: uncover thousands of affordable homes for you, turn down the volume on construction noise, show how many children are being turn away from seats in their neighborhood, and studying how we can provide automatic benefits to New Yorkers who need it most. Taken together, these bills will help make New York City with more affordable housing, improve quality of life, education, and helping those most in need.
I hope that residents are able to join me this Sunday:
Sunday, January 7, 2018 - 1:00pm - 3:00pm (Volunteer Fair at 12:30pm)
Memorial Sloan Kettering Auditorium
430 East 67th Street
RSVP
On January 17th New York City Mayor will hold a Town Hall for our District:
Wednesday, January 17, 2018 - 7:00 pm
Julia Richman Education Complex
317 East 67th Street
RSVP
Regards,
Ben Kallos
Council Member
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Quieter After Hours Construction Passes Council
- Find Every Affordable Home Subsidized by the City Passes Council
- Providing the Government Benefits New Yorkers Need Automatically to Be Studied Passes Council
- Keeping Track of Every Child Turned Away from A Seat in the Neighborhood Passes Council
- Online Voter Registration Signed into Law
6. 2018 State of the District, You are invited
7. Mayoral Town Hall (Again), Join Us
8. 81st Street Pedestrian Bridge Opens
9. James Cagney Place Recognized as Official Pedestrian Plaza
10. “Tree-Cycling” Your Christmas Tree in NYC
11. Marymount School Negotiations to Benefit East Harlem Residents
12. Roosevelt Island-Digital Literacy Partnership
13. Four Years of Governmental Operations Achievements
14. Progressive Caucus, Nearly 50 Laws Enacted
15. Councilmatic Makes City Council More Transparent Than Ever
16. ETHOS Members Get Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter Training
17.Hunger in NYC, During the Holidays
18. Opening the New Nisi Restaurant on Roosevelt Island
Thank You for Coming to Our Annual Holiday Party
20. Honoring Betty Cooper Wallerstein: President of the E 79th Street Neighborhood Association
21. Drupal NYC Meetup
22. Sutton Place Rezoning, More Coverage
24. Free Legal Clinics
25. Here to Help
26. Mobile District Hours
27. Ben in Your Building
28. CITY COUNCIL OFFICE EVENTS
29. SPECIAL EVENTS
30. DISTRICT OFFICE EVENTS
31. COMMUNITY BOARD MEETINGS
32. NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT
33. NEIGHBORHOOD and TENANT ASSOCIATIONS
34. EVENTS FOR ADULTS
35. COMMUNITY EVENTS FOR CHILDREN
HEADLINES
Quieter After Hours Construction Passes Council Council
They say New York is the City that never sleeps, but that should not be because of construction waking you up after hours or on weekends.The The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and AM New York all reported on legislation I authored that passed the City Council aiming to fix this problem. Noise complaints are New York City’s number one 311 complaint. Inspections will be required when they will actually find violations and inspectors from the Department of Environmental Protection won’t have to access a home to write a violation with further power to issue stop work order on construction equipment or a site that is too loud. For more information on this new law read the release at BenKallos.com/press-releases or the coverage from FOX 5 News, Time Out New York and AM New York.
Find Every Affordable Home Subsidized by the City Passes Passes Council
Finding affordable housing shouldn’t require you to literally win the lottery. Tens of thousands of new and existing affordable homes will soon be available for low-income New Yorkers to find and apply for online.
The Wall Street Journal reported on the legislation’s passage saying it “would make it easier for lower-income renters to find apartments that match their budget.” Thanks to a hero and whistleblower at Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Stephen Werner, we learned through ProPublica found that owners of 15,000 buildings — receiving over $100 million from the city in tax breaks — failed to register any affordable units, leaving New Yorkers roughly 50,000 units short of what the were promised.
The Affordable Housing registry legislation works in two ways to recover these lost units. First it will ensure that landlords receiving incentives from the city registered with the city or face fines escalating to $2,000 per unit per month. Secondly the legislation creates an online application where all of the City’s subsidized affordable housing will be listed to make it easier for New Yorkers to apply. New York City is in an affordable housing crisis and we cannot allow landlords to hide even a single affordable home from the public. We need a full accounting of every affordable unit of housing in the City and we need regular monitoring and strict enforcement, which is what this legislation will do. For more information on this legislation read BenKallos.com/press-releases or The Wall Street Journal.
Providing the Government Benefits New Yorkers Need Automatically to Be Studied Passes Council
No one should go hungry, lose their home, or go without healthcare in one of the wealthiest cities in the world, especially when assistance programs have been created to help those in need. Over the past four years, I worked with experts in the Federal government, academia, non-profits and the private sector to advance legislation and research the regulatory framework to legally provide benefits automatically, so New Yorkers get the benefits they qualify for. In our work, we have secured millions in funding to research Automatic Benefits policies and even helped make the software necessary freely available to the public. In December, the City Council passed a measure to study the feasibility and possible effectiveness of implementing my Automatic Benefits legislation. I hope that the city’s study will save taxpayer dollars by taking advantage of the legal research, grants, and software that we’ve already secured for the city and this plan. Next year, we’ll have the information we need to eliminate the bureaucracy, paperwork, and unnecessary hurdles that prevent our poorest from accessing and keeping the assistance they need to be lifted from poverty. For more information read the BenKallos.com/press-releases
Keeping Track of Every Child Turned Away from A Seat in the Neighborhood Passes Council
We are still waiting for the promise of Universal Pre-Kindergarten on the Upper East Side. In 2015, more than half of would-be pre-kindergarteners on the Upper East Side were not offered school seats in their zip codes, with 429 out of 796 four-year-olds told to commutes for hours each day. The problem doesn’t get better as children age, with nearly half of five-year-olds turned away from gifted and talented seats for which they qualify. The fact is we need more school seats.
The Department of Education is setting our children up for failure by refusing to admit there is a current need for seats and refusing to build the schools we need in a growing city. Legislation I authored that passed the City Council will require the Department of Education to report on the geographic diversity, the number of seats available, and the number of children who apply, get accepted, get rejected, and enroll, so that we get a clear picture of how big the problem the lack of school seats has become.
Learn more in the release at BenKallos.com/press-releases
Online Voter Registration Signed into Law
Registering to vote in New York City is about to get easier to do with a snap of a picture or even a swipe on your phone. This December, Mayor de Blasio signed my legislation that I’ve been working on for nearly a decade into law to bring all New York City residents online voter registration which is currently available in 36 states. For more information on this new law read the BenKallos.com/press-releases or read the coverage in Gotham Gazette and CBS New York.
JANUARY 2018 SPECIAL EVENTS
2018 State of the District, You are Invited
Join my office and me for our annual State of the District. As we begin our second term lets, take a moment to look back on some of the victories we have accomplished together over the past four years. This year the State of the District address will be held at Memorial Sloan Kettering located at 430 East 67th Street, on Sunday, January 7th, 2018 beginning at 1 pm, with a volunteer fair starting at 12:30 pm. Light refreshments will follow the speaking program. Attendees who RSVP will be given and free reusable canvas bag. If you wish to attend, RSVP online or call 212-860-1950. Childcare will be provided at no cost.
Sunday, January 7, 2018 - 1:00pm - 3:00pm (Volunteer Fair at 12:30pm)
Memorial Sloan Kettering Auditorium
430 East 67th Street
RSVP
Mayoral Town Hall (Again), Join Us
On January 17, Mayor Bill de Blasio will be visiting District 5. The Julia Richman Education Complex located at 317 East 67th Street will be the site of our Mayoral Town Hall. The event will begin at 7pm and you must RSVP to attend. If you already RSVP'd for the Town Hall originally scheduled in December, you do not need to sign up again. Join us for a chance to talk directly to the Mayor and his agency heads. This is a great opportunity to bring all your relevant questions and get some answers.
Wednesday, January 17, 2018 - 7:00pm
Julia Richman Education Complex
317 East 67th Street
RSVP
PARKS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
81st Street Pedestrian Bridge Opens
Our efforts to improve the East River Esplanade and to make it accessible to all residents hit an important milestone in December. It was a pleasure to join New York City Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver and officials from New York City Department of Design and Construction to cut the ribbon at last on the East 81st Street Pedestrian Bridge. The bridge connects the East River Esplanade’s lower level to the upper promenade, known as the John Finley Walk, with an ADA-accessible ramp. The project was a $16 million dollar endeavor, replacing the old, deteriorated bridge, which had been there since 1942. The bridge features several design improvements, which followed a long but productive planning process with the City agencies, my office, CIVITAS, Community Board 8, and the East 79th St Neighborhood Association. The new pedestrian bridge features glass walls to preserve beautiful views of the East River, stainless steel railings and fencing, fresh concrete and new bridge bearings. The Esplanade below the structure was also beautified with plantings, boulders, and shrubs as part of the project. For more information on the project, read the release.
James Cagney Place Recognized as Official Pedestrian Plaza
When I got elected four years ago I promised I would protect as much open space as possible on the Upper East Side. Everyone here knows that we don't have enough open spaces, which is why I was excited to announce that James Cagney Place, which has been closed off from traffic since I was a boy, is now officially designated as an official Pedestrian Plaza! No longer will we have to worry about this beloved community space turning into just another New York City side road. Thank you to Community Board 8 Members Rita Popper and David Rosenstein, R-Y Management, as well as the Department of Transportation for their partnership in making this happen. The Plaza will now have great events including a New Year’s Eve Fun Run and you can even watch the tree lighting and sing-along that I attended with Assembly Member Dan Quart. For more information on the work that went into getting accomplished read the release or read the coverage in Our Town and Patch.
“Tree-Cycling” Your Christmas Tree in NYC
The New York City Department of Sanitation will begin its annual Christmas tree curbside collection Tuesday, January 2. The collection will run through Saturday, January 13, 2018, weather permitting. Residents should remove all stands, tinsel, lights and ornaments before putting trees out for collection. Clean, non-bagged Christmas trees left on the curb between Tuesday, January 2 and Saturday, January 13, will be chipped, mixed with leaves, and recycled into compost for the city’s parks, institutions and community gardens. The Department of Sanitation collected more than 242,000 Christmas trees for “tree-cycling” after Christmas 2016. For more information on Christmas tree collection and recycling or MulchFest, visit www.nyc.gov/dsny, www.nyc.gov/parks or call 311.
EDUCATION
Marymount School Negotiations to Benefit East Harlem Residents
El Diario reported on how negotiations between my office and Marymount School will benefit East Harlem residents. Marymount is a premier all-girls private school that is seeking permission to build a new building in East Harlem. In negotiations with my office for approval to build this project, the school has agreed to offer free educational programming for East Harlem residents in hopes of putting students who qualify on a pathway to a scholarship at the prep school. The programming that will be offered includes women’s job training, public school tutoring/mentoring, and a resource center for East Harlem educators. Thank you to Marymount Head of School Concepcion Alvar for prioritizing these community programs, and I look forward to a continued productive relationship with the administration at Marymount.
Roosevelt Island-Digital Literacy Partnership
I was excited to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Cornell Tech to celebrate the announcement of a $50 million dollar investment from Tata Consulting Services (TCS). This generous investment by TCS will bring academia and industry together under one roof in a new innovation center on Cornell Tech’s campus. The collaboration between TCS and Cornell Tech presents exciting opportunities for the students at the university. Thank you to Ratan Tata for his generosity and work towards creating a campus that is at the forefront of technological innovation.
LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES 2017
Four Years of Governmental Operations Achievements
Over the past four years I have the privilege of Chairing more than 50 hearings of the Committee on Governmental Operations passing more than 50 laws and here are just some of the highlights:
- Eliminated Outside Income and Made the City Council a Full-Time Job
- Limited the Influence of Lobbyists
- Saved Over a Billion in Planned Lawsuit Payouts
- Investigated Rivington Nursing Home Scandal
- Improved Mayor’s Management
- Expanded Community Boards to 16 and 17-Year-Olds
- Improved Civil Service by Reducing Wait Times and Holding City Accountable for Provisionals
- Protected City Planning with Reforms to Variances
- Focused on Quality of Life and Passed Laws to Stop Scofflaws
- Reviewed City Efforts to Reduce Carbon Emissions
- Fought Against Patronage at the City Board of Elections
Progressive Caucus, Nearly 50 Laws Enacted
December 2017 was a great month for the Progressive Caucus, of which I am Vice Chair for Policy, finishing off four years of legislative progress. During this term, the Caucus advanced nearly 50 bills through the Council. The wins we have achieved together for New Yorkers include improving tenant safety, workers’ rights, affordable housing and community safety. I am proud of the work the Progressive Caucus has done over the last four years and look forward to growing the body so we can have even more influence and getting even more done. For more information on the legislation that has been passed read the release.
Councilmatic Makes City Council More Transparent Than Ever
You can now engage the city’s legislative process through Councilmatic at Law.Council.NYC.gov. In 2009, I was first to put Albany legislator voting records online for the public and the City Council followed suit later that year. With the votes available, we needed a website for the legislation to be accessible and for residents to participate. This began nearly a decade of partnership with David Moore of the Participatory Politics Foundation as we worked to open up the City Council’s legislative data to third parties through the recently announced legislative API and funding from my office for Councilmatic as a free and open source web platform as the official City Council website to make it easier to engage the legislation online.
HELPING THOSE IN NEED
ETHOS Members Get Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter Training
Homelessness continues to rise with 22,830children, 17,451 family members, 4,105 single women, and 10,531 single men in our shelters, and more than 3,892 people on the streets as of Thanksgiving. I launched the Eastside Taskforce for Homeless Outreach and Services (ETHOS) with Borough President Brewer, Senator Krueger, Council Member Garodnick, Department of Social Services, community and faith leaders and service organizations. We hope to get unsheltered people living on the street the help they need. If you see one of our City’s most vulnerable on the street, please call 311 or use the NYC 311 App (Android/iPhone) to ask them to dispatch a “homeless outreach team.” They will ask where you saw the person, what they looked like, and offer to report on whether the person accepts our city’s offer of shelter, three meals a day, healthcare, rehabilitation, and job training.
In December, staff and volunteers for our partners at the East Side Taskforce for Homeless Outreach Services received training from the Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter on how to work with people in need while they are most vulnerable. During these bitterly cold days of winter, I am particularly proud of the work ETHOS is doing. By bringing City Agencies and local houses of worship together to keep people off the streets we are saving lives.
Learn more at http://benkallos.com/homeless
Hunger in NYC, During the Holidays
Over the holiday season, I had the opportunity to join community leaders and experts in food scarcity on In Focus with Cheryll Wills on NY1. On the show, we discussed the ongoing hunger problem in New York City that is exacerbated by the holiday season. We need more pantries throughout the City and we can continue to address hunger among school-age children by getting New York City Schools to offer free supper because no New Yorker should go hungry. We are too wealthy a city for that. I look forward to continuing to my work to prevent food insecurity in New York City. Watch the entire show on NY1.
COMMUNITY
Opening the New Nisi Restaurant on Roosevelt Island
Small businesses are essential to a robust economy. That is why whenever there one of our District 5 small businesses has a special occasion I am there in support. In December it was the reopening of the popular diner on Roosevelt Island. Formerly known and Trellis, after over three years of renovations and upgrades the new diner called Nisi opened up to the public. It was a pleasure to join members of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation and Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright the father and son duo that own Nisi, Kaie and Alex Razaghie for a ribbon cutting marking the official opening. Breakfast that morning was sensational and now I have even more reason why to spend more time on Roosevelt Island. Read more about the ribbon cutting from Roosevelt Islander.
Thank You for Coming to Our Annual Holiday Party
Thank you to everyone who came out for our annual office holiday party. It was my pleasure to speak with all of you about issues you would like me to address in the coming New Year. I hope you all enjoyed the cookies as much as I did, and I look forward to our next office gathering in January for First Friday.
Honoring Betty Cooper Wallerstein-President of the E 79th Street Neighborhood Association
Thank you to Betty Cooper Wallerstein who retired as the President of the East 79th Street Neighborhood Association in December after 33 years of serving the Upper East Side. It was my pleasure to present Betty with a proclamation from the City honoring her work. Like the New York Times said back in 1996, “Betty may be the busiest woman in New York City.” As she worked to make our neighborhood better, that never changed. Betty is a beacon of our neighborhood and a true friend, she will be dearly missed. Her passionate advocacy and tremendous work ethic really distinguished her as a volunteer public servant for our neighborhood. Read the full story in Our Town.
Drupal Meetup
In addition to being an attorney and your Council Member, I am also a free and open source software developer working with programmers all over the planet improving the Drupal software that runs many of your favorite websites. In December I presented on "Drupal & Webforms as Public Policy Tools Supporting Online Voter Registration" at the monthly Meetup at NBC Universal's 30 Rockefeller Center offices. I discussed the challenges of public policy making, the influence of large vendors, the importance of building an minimum viable product (MVP) as a proof of concept, and thanked the Webform Module development team and Jacob Rockowitz in particular as I asked the community to help build an online voter registration system for the city that any other jurisdiction could use and modify freely.
Sutton Place Rezoning, More Coverage
New Yorkers are tired of out-of-control, out-of-scale development destroying affordable housing and the shape of our residential neighborhoods. That is why as reported by the Wall Street Journal and CBS2 in late November I led the City Council in a vote to rezone the Sutton area. With the support of Council Member Garodnik, State Senator Krueger, Manhattan Borough President Brewer and Congress Member Maloney the City Council removed a grandfathering clause provision put in by the City Planning Commission. This rezoning will go on to protect octogenarians like Herndon Werth and seniors like Charles Fernandez and his sister who faced displacement from their affordable, rent-regulated units. The new zoning requirements allow for “tower-on-a-base" development rules in the neighborhood. The rules require that 45 percent of a new development's floor area be contained below a height of 150 feet. Buildings could still rise above 150 feet, but nearly half of the total density would be at heights that wouldn't be uncharacteristic of the existing neighborhood. The work that went into getting this done goes back to 2015 when we formed the East River Fifties Alliance which has grown to 45 buildings in the area, and 2,600 individuals from 500 buildings all over the city with support from Friends of the Upper East Side Historic District, CIVITAS, and citywide organizations like the Municipal Arts Society. For more information read my statement or coverage from Upper East Side Patch.
OFFICE UPDATES
Legislative Corner
In December, I cosponsored two important pieces of legislation which passed the City Council and are expected to be signed by the Mayor. Collectively known as the Right to Know Act, this legislation will improve police-community relations and create more accountability during interactions with law enforcement.
Introduction 541 of 2014, sponsored by Council Member Antonio Reynoso, requires the New York City Police Department to develop and provide guidance to its officers on how to inform individuals about their 4th Amendment rights relating to searches of their person or vehicle. In the same manner, in which officers are required to inform individuals of their Miranda Rights when being placed under arrest, officers will now have to inform individuals they have the right to decline to be searched unless an officer deems the situation is immediately dangerous. During non-emergency searches, officers are required to turn on their body-worn cameras for the entire search.
Introduction 182 of 2014, sponsored by Council Member Ritchie Torres, requires that during NYPD interactions with individuals who are not under arrest the officer(s) involved identify themselves, state the reason why an individual is being questioned, and provide a business card with name, rank, and command. This does not apply to undercover police work or in cases where an officer feels an emergency requires these steps not to be taken.
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:
- 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.
Here to Help
We are here to help. My social work team can help you find out what services you are eligible for and assist you in your application. Some examples include:
- Seniors: Medicare savings, Meals-on-Wheels, Access-A-Ride
- Housing: searching for affordable units, free legal housing clinic at my office
- Jobs: training resources and assistance, unemployment benefits
- Families: Universal Pre-K, Head Start, After-School programs
- Finances: cash assistance, tax credits, home energy assistance
- Nutrition: WIC, free meals for all ages
Please also call us at 212-860-1950 or email at bkallos@benkallos.com with any unresolved 311 complaints.
Mobile District Hours
Get assistance wherever in the district you are when we bring our office to you. Please join us at monthly mobile district hours from 11am-2pm:
- Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center, 415 East 93rd Street, 2nd Tuesday
- Carter Burden Center for the Aging, 351 East 74th Street, 3rd Wednesday
- Roosevelt Island Senior Center, 546 Main Street, 4th Wednesday
Ben in Your Building
The "Ben in Your Building Program" is a chance to discuss issues of importance to you and your neighbors in person, in your home. Please consider inviting me to your cooperative or condominium's annual 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, sanitation issues and you name it. Please schedule a "Ben in Your Building" today by calling 212-860-1950 or email scheduler@benkallos.com.
EVENTS
These meetings are subject to change after the publication of the newsletter. Please check updated websites and notices for confirmation.
City Council Office Events
SPECIAL EVENTS
State of the District
1/7, 1PM - 3PM, Volunteer Fair beginning at 12:30
Memorial Sloan Kettering Auditorium, 430 East 67th Street
RSVP
Town Hall with Mayor Bill de Blasio
1/17, 7PM-9PM (Doors open at 6PM)
Julia Richman Education Complex, 317 East 67th Street
RSVP
DISTRICT OFFICE EVENTS
First Friday
1/5, 8AM-10AM
District Office of Council Member Ben Kallos
244 East 93rd Street New York, NY 10128
RSVP
Brainstorming with Ben
1/9, 6PM-7PM
District Office of Council Member Ben Kallos
244 East 93rd Street New York, NY 10128
Please call 212-860-1950 to RSVP
COMMUNITY BOARD MEETINGS
1/10: Community Board 6 (East 59th to 96th Streets) Full Board Meeting
7:00pm, NYU Langone Medical Center,550 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10016 (Alumni Hall B)
1/10: Community Board 8 (East 59th to 96th Streets) Land Use and Full Board Committee
6:30pm, New York Blood Center, Auditorium, 310 East 67th Street
1/16: Community Board 11 (East 96th to 145th Streets) Full Board Meeting
6:30pm, 1752 Park Ave, Henry J. Carter Specialty Hospital & Nursing Facility
NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT
First Monday: 19th Precinct Community Council
7:00 pm, 153 East 67th Street
Fourth Wednesday: 23rd Precinct Community Council
6:00 pm, 162 East 102nd Street
Last Wednesday: 17th Precinct Community Council
6:00 pm, Sutton Place Synagogue, 225 E 51st Street
NEIGHBORHOOD and TENANT ASSOCIATIONS
First Wednesday, 1/3: Lexington Houses Tenant Association
6:00pm, 1539 Lexington Avenue
First Wednesday, 1/3: Roosevelt Island Residents Association Common Council Meeting
8:00 pm-10:00 pm, Good Sheperd (Downstairs), 543 Main Street
Second Tuesday, 1/9: Stanley Isaacs Tenant Associations
7:00 pm, Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center, 415 East 93rd Street
Third Thursday, 1/16: East 79th Street Neighborhood Association
6:00pm-8:00 pm, Upper East Side Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 211 East 79th Street
Third Tuesday, 1/16: Holmes Towers Tenant Association
7:00 pm, Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center, 415 East 93rd Street
Second Thursday, 1/11: INDIVISIBLE Upper East Side
7:30pm to 9:00pm at the Unitarian Church, on the S.E. corner of Lexington and East 80th St.
Events for Children
1/10: Sensory Storytime
3:00 pm, 67th Street Library
An inclusive, 4-session program that combines the best practices from special education and traditional storytime to create an interactive, engaging program for children of all abilities!
1/9: Library Night Live!
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm, 96th Street Library
Participants will learn ssketch writingand discuss what makes something funny and will outline their own sketch. A 90-minutes program. For ages 13 - 18 years old.
Every Wednesday, Toddler Storytime
10:15 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. First come, first served
Every Wednesday, Toddler Playtime
10:45 am, Roosevelt Island Library
Toddlers can play with toys and get to know their neighbors. For ages 18 months to 3 years.
Every Wednesday, Toddler Storytime
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. First come, first served
Every Wednesday, Toddler Playtime
11:45 am, Roosevelt Island Library
Toddlers can play with toys and get to know their neighbors. For ages 18 months to 3 years.
Every Friday, Open Playtime
10:30 am, Roosevelt Island Library
Enjoy a warm and inviting space where parents/caregivers can play with their child, listen to music and socialize with others in the community. Recommended for Ages: 1-3 years.
Every Friday, Family Storytime
3:00 pm, Roosevelt Island Library
A librarian will share favorite picture books, providing children with the wonder of books and the joy of reading.
1/8, 1/22, 1/29: 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.
1/8, 1/22, 1/29: Baby Playtime
11:30 am, Roosevelt Island Library
Babies can play with toys and get to know their neighbors. For children ages 0-18 months.
1/10: Origami Hour
3:00 pm, Roosevelt Island Library
Join us for some paper folding fun! Take your creations home! No registration required. Ages 5-12
1/11: Toddler Storytime - Movers and Shakers
11:00 am, Roosevelt Island Library
Toddlers from 1 to 4 years old and their parents/caregivers will shake it together! Sing, dance and enjoy music, movement and fun!
First come, first served
1/11: Movers and Shakers Play Time
11:30 am, Roosevelt Island Library
Toddlers can play with toys and get to know their neighbors. For ages 1 to 4 years.
1/17: After School Awesome
3:00 pm, Roosevelt Island Library
Join us for STEM activities that build, inspire, empower and engage children. Ages 5-12
1/18: Sensory Storytime
11:00 am, Roosevelt Island Library
An inclusive, 4-session program that combines the best practices from special education and traditional storytime to create an interactive, engaging program for children of all abilities!
1/18: Family Storytime: Sensory Storytime
11:00 am - 11:30 am, Roosevelt Island Library
Sensory Storytime is 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.
1/24: Brick Builders Club
3:00 pm, Roosevelt Island Library
Join us for free play using LEGO® bricks! See what your imagination can create!
1/25: Family Literacy Workshop
11:00 am, Roosevelt Island Library
Parents and caregivers, come learn about fun, easy ways to encourage literacy at home! Through these workshops you will learn how to devleop your child's pre literacy skills to help prepare them to become successful readers at an early age!
1/3: Storytime Fun!
11:00 am and 11:30 am, Webster Library
Join Lex, children from birth to 3 years, and their parents/caregivers for 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. Times of the programs are approximate.
Every Thursday, Family Storytime
11:00 am, 11:30 am and 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. 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. Times of the programs are approximate.
Every Monday, Read to Mildred, our New York Therapy Dog!
4:00 pm, Webster Library
Come read to our therapy dog Mildred! 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 Monday!
1/25: Webster @ the Movies: Despicable Me 3
4:00 pm, Webster Library
The mischievous Minions hope that Gru will return to a life of crime after the new boss of the Anti-Villain League fires him. Instead, Gru decides to remain retired and travel to Freedonia to meet his long-lost twin brother for the first time. The reunited siblings soon find themselves in an uneasy alliance to take down the elusive Balthazar Bratt, a former 1980s child star who seeks revenge against the world.
1/9, 1/16, 1/23: T(w)een Lounge
3:00 pm, Yorkville Library
Come hang out, explore, learn, use technology, make music, computers, the Wii and more! We will be exploring the intersection of fun and learning, while looking into the various technologies that surround us daily. All of this takes place at T(w)een Headquarters here at Yorkville Public Library. Agers 9 - 18 are welcome to take part in this program!
1/11, 1/18 and 1/25: Family Storytime
4:00 pm, Yorkville Library
Come meet your friends at the library and listen to some of your favorite picture books. Ages 3 and older.
1/22: Kids Flicks
4:00 pm, Yorkville Library
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: Blueberries for Sal, Mickey's Trailer, and Danny & The Dinosaur
1/26: January Craft Time
3:00 pm, Yorkville Library
It's Craft Time at Yorkville!!! Drop in for a quick craft. Bring your creativity and make something special to take home. Ages 3 and up.
1/30: Jungle in a Jar
3:00 pm, Yorkville Library
In this program you will be making your very own mini jungle in a jar. This jungle will live and grown with minimal help from you. It only has to be watered once and it will stay looking green and healthy for a very long time. Ages: 7-18
1/7: Teddy Bear Tea
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden, 421 E. 61st Street
Bring teddy (or your doll), meet hotel proprietor, Mrs. Woodhull, and go back in time for a typical day in the 1830s. Enjoy fruit tea and cookies. $10 Adults and Children
1/19: January Storytime for 2-6 Year Olds
12:30 am, Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden, 421 E. 61st Street
Time for tea! Listen to stories about tea and have your own pretend tea party! Free with museum admission. Third Friday of each month.
EVENTS FOR ADULTS
12/4: Computer Lab
12:00 pm, 96th Street Library
At the 96th Street Library Computer Lab our tech volunteers assist you with almost any computer topic you want to learn. Topics include computer basics, Microsoft Word, online shopping, email, downloading eBooks, resume assistance, Facebook, phone apps and more! Students are encouraged to bring their own laptop or tablet device. If you can't bring yours, we will lend you one for the duration of the class. ** Space is limited and sign-up is required. Late arrivals may be turned away, so please arrive on time to secure your spot. Sign up in-person or call 212-289-0908.
Every Tuesday and Wednesday: Quiet Study Rooms
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm, 67th Street Library
There's no talking, no cell phone, no noise at all in our quiet study room. This room is open thanks to our volunteers, and is subject to their availability. If you are interested in keeping the quiet study room open more hours, please see a staff member about becoming a volunteer!
Every Thursday: Quiet Study Rooms
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm, 67th Street Library
There's no talking, no cell phone, no noise at all in our quiet study room. This room is open thanks to our volunteers, and is subject to their availability. If you are interested in keeping the quiet study room open more hours, please see a staff member about becoming a volunteer!
Every Friday and Saturday: Quiet Study Rooms
10:00 am - 3:00 pm, 67th Street Library
There's no talking, no cell phone, no noise at all in our quiet study room. This room is open thanks to our volunteers, and is subject to their availability. If you are interested in keeping the quiet study room open more hours, please see a staff member about becoming a volunteer!
Every Thursday and Saturday: Computer Tutoring Sessions
10:00 am, 67th Street Library
Join us for an one-on-one tutoring sessions! Our computer tutors can 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. Stop by the branch to sign up for one of our help sessions and get a personal tutor at your service!
Every Saturday, English Conversation Group
11:00 am - 1:00 pm, 67th Street Library
Talk with native speakers and other language learners about current events, New York City, family life, holidays, and much more. For adults 16 years old or older. This program is provided in partnership with New York Cares, a leading volunteer organization that helps people find easy ways to make meaningful, rewarding contributions to their communities. Led by New York Cares volunteers, this program provides an opportunity for intermediate level ESOL speakers to practice speaking English and improve their conversational skills.
1/8: Movie Monday: Atomic Blonde (2017)
3:00 pm, 67th Street Library
Oscar® winner Charlize Theron explodes into summer in Atomic Blonde, a breakneck action-thriller that follows MI6’s most lethal assassin through a ticking time bomb of a city simmering with revolution and double-crossing hives of traitors. A blistering blend of sleek action, gritty sexuality and dazzling style, Atomic Blonde is directed by David Leitch (John Wick, upcoming Deadpool 2).
1/22: Movie Monday: American Assassin (2017)
3:00 pm, 67th Street Library A CIA recruit (Dylan O’Brien) trains to become a black-ops agent under the tutelage of a fearsome warrior (Michael Keaton). Later, the two men race to stop a rogue operative from sowing chaos in the Middle East.
Every Tuesday, Adult Coloring
11:00 am, 96th Street Library
Looking for a new way to relax? Enjoy the sublime pleasure of coloring. Coloring sheets, crayons, coloring pencils, and reading materials will be provided to participants by the library.
1/4: Film: The Band’s Visit (2007)
2:00 pm, 96th Street Library
THE BAND’S VISIT (2007), 87 min., color, ERAN KOLIRIN, Dir. Starring SASSON GABAI, RONIT ELKABETZ, SALEH BAKRI. The Alexandria Ceremonial Police Orchestra arrives in Israel from Egypt for a cultural event. ADMISSION FREE
1/4: Book Discussion - Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
6:00 pm, 96th Street Library
Every Tuesday, Microsoft 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 text, 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.
1/11: Film: Woman in the Window (1944)
2:00 pm, 96th Street Library
WOMAN IN THE WINDOW (1944), 107 min., b&w, FRITZ LANG, Dir. Starring EDWARD G. ROBINSON, JOAN BENNETT, RAYMOND MASSEY. A reticent middle-aged professor meets a young woman who gets him involved in a murder. ADMISSION FREE
1/13: Music: Donizetti's ANNA BOLENA recital by New York Opera Forum
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, 96th Street Library
New York Opera Forum performs the complete opera of ANNA BOLENA by Gaetano Donizetti. A live musical recital performed in concert with piano accompaniment. The musical program is cosponsored with New York Opera Forum which was founded by Richard Nechamkin in 1983 to give classically trained singers the opportunity to learn and perform standard operatic repertoire in the original languages. ADMISSION FREE
1/18: Film: Scarlet Street (1945)
2:00 pm, 96th Street Library
Starring EDWARD G. ROBINSON, JOAN BENNET, DAN DURYEA. Chris Cross, 25 years a cashier, has a gold watch and little else, until one night he rescues Kitty from her abusive boyfriend Johnny. ADMISSION FREE
1/25: Film: Doctor in the House
2:00 pm, 96th Street Library
DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE (1954), 92 min., b&w, RALPH THOMAS, Dir. Starring DIRK BOGARDE, MURIEL PAVLOW, KENNETH MORE. The hilarious exploits of first year medical student Simon Sparrow as he learns his way around St. Swithins Hospital. ADMISSION FREE
1/2: Science Fiction Book Discussion; The Box: Uncanny stories
6:30 pm, Roosevelt Island Library
A discussion of The Box: Uncanny Stories by Richard Matheson.
Every Friday, We Are New York (WANY) English Conversation Groups
10:30 am - 12:30 am, Roosevelt Island Library
We Are New York is an Emmy Award-winning half hour TV show created to help people practice English. Each story is about everyday situations, like going to the doctor or talking to your child's teacher. The characters speak slowly and clearly. Intermediate Level English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) learners will have the opportunity to learn English by watching We Are New York videos. Come to the library and meet other people who are practicing English, just like you.This program works best for people who speak a little English already and want to practice.
1/8: Freegal and Mango Languages
6:00 pm, Roosevelt Island Library
Learn how to access Freegal and Mango Languages, two of the free databases that NYPL offers. Freegal will give you access to thousands of songs while Mango Languages will aid you in learning a new language.
1/11: Historical Lecture: The FDNY on Blackwell’s and Welfare Islands
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm, Roosevelt Island Library
The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) has a long and storied presence on Roosevelt Island, according to FDNY historian and author Gary R. Urbanowicz. Walk back in time when only one family lived on Blackwell’s Island, (now known as Roosevelt Island) and trace the development of the firefighters’ presence in the island’s community, up to today’s Special Operations Command.
1/22: Tech Connect: U.S. Newspapers and International Newspapers
6:00 pm, Roosevelt Island Library
Extra, extra, read all about it! In this course you'll learn how to access and search the U.S. and International Newspaper databases. Get access to curent and archival newspapers, all for free!
1/25: Movie Night: Clash of the Titans
6:00 pm, Roosevelt Island Library
CLASH OF THE TITANS (PG) (1981). Based on Greek Mythology, this rousing action adventure film appeals to all ages. Featuring legendary FX by Ray Harryhausen.
1/29: How to Use Google and YouTube
6:00 pm, Roosevelt Island Library
Curious about all the Google services? Are you interested in YouTube but wondering what all the fuss is about? What are vlogs, Let's Plays, videos and Vines? This course will guide you through everything Google, and how to use YouTube.
1/30: Western Book Discussion: Buffalo Stampede
6:30 pm, Roosevelt Island Library
A discussion of Buffalo Stampede by Zane Grey.
1/4: Book Discussion - All our Names by Dinaw Mengestu
6:00 pm, Webster Library
Join us on January 4,2018 at 6:00 pm. Admission is free. Book club participants must reserve copies of each title through the Library's catalog system. You can reserve your copy by placing a hold on-line at www.nypl.org or visiting your local branch.
1/22: Weill Cornell Medicine Wellness Series: You Are One in A Million: Precision Medicine and the Future of Healthcare
5:30 pm, Webster Library
Precision medicine is an emerging approach for disease treatment and prevention that takes into account individual variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle for each person. Join us for a talk on the future of healthcare through precision medicine at the Weill Cornell Medicine Wellness Series at the Webster Library.
1/27: Webster @ the Movies: Dunkirk
2:00 pm, Webster Library
In May 1940, Germany advanced into France, trapping Allied troops on the beaches of Dunkirk. Under air and ground cover from British and French forces, troops were slowly and methodically evacuated from the beach using every serviceable naval and civilian vessel that could be found. At the end of this heroic mission, 330,000 French, British, Belgian and Dutch soldiers were safely evacuated.
1/30: Safe Sleep Family Literacy Workshop
11:00 am, Webster Library
In April 2015, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the Safe Sleep Initiative to further advance the city’s efforts to increase awareness among parents and other caregivers about the potentially fatal risks of unsafe sleep practices. Join us with a representative from the Administration for Children's Services to discuss best practices for baby's safe sleep.
1/6: Make 2018 Your Best Year Ever: Goal Setting
2:00 pm, Yorkville Library
Research suggests that setting and making progress on goals that are important to you is a key determinant of sustainable happiness. Speaker, trainer, and certified professional coach, Barbara Phillips, will help you create a core set of meaningful, realistic goals for the New Year.
1/10 and 1/24: Early Literacy Workshop and Brunch
2:00 pm, Yorkville Library
The Children's librarian will share a short hands-on presentation on writing as an early literacy practice and show you how to incorporate it into the everyday world of your children under 5. All nannies, parents, grandparents and other caregivers are welcome.
1/11, 1/18 and 1/25: eBook Help
11:00 am - 12:00 pm, Yorkville Library
Get one-on-one help downloading library books and audio books via our SimplyE, 3M and OverDrive platforms. Please bring your phone, tablet or e-Reading device. Registration is required. Please sign up personally at Yorkville Library or call 212-744-5824. There are only four individual slots available, for 15 minutes each.
1/27: Career Training: Job Search 101
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm, 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.
Deadline 1/8: 2018 Annual Awards
This spring, FRIENDS of the Upper East Side Historic Districts will celebrate outstanding achievement in preservation, architecture, and advocacy on the Upper East Side during our 35th Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony. See http://www.friends-ues.org/events/ for qualifications and application.
1/12: Lunchtime Lecture: Gambling and Gaming in 19th-Century New York
12:30 pm - 1:00 pm, Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden, 421 E. 61st Street New York was a gaming and gambling hub in the 1800s. Join us for a lively discussion on these leisure time activities and place your bets it will be a rousing good time. Bring your own brown bag; tea and coffee included in the price of admission!
Every Wednesday, Mindfulness Meditation
12:30 pm - 1:00 pm, New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Cofer Memorial Chapel, 525 E. 68th Street
Mindfulness meditation is the practice of intentionally focusing on the present moment, paying attention to the sensations, thoughts and emotions that arise. Mindfulness meditation can bring improvements in both physical and psychological symptoms as well as positive changes in health attitudes and behaviors.
1/8, 1/29 and Every Thursday: Perelman Mile-Plus Walk
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm, NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Cofer Memorial Chapel, 525 E. 68th Street
Walking is one of the easiest ways to be physically active and it's free. Participate in The Perelman Mile-Plus Walk. It's an outdoor walking route that begins at the 68th Street entrance of NYP/WC and leads you on a scenic walk along the East River Esplanade from 71st Street to 63rd Street. The walk is slightly more than a mile and takes less than 30 minutes to complete.
1/8 and 1/29: Cardiac Corner - Blood Pressure Screening
10:30 am - 11:30 am, NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Cofer Memorial Chapel, 525 E. 68th Street
Blood pressure is one of the most important screenings. High blood pressure can greatly increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms and can only be detected by measuring it.
1/9: Using Artificial-intelligence-driven Deep Neural Networks to Uncover Principles of Brain Representation and Organization
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, A Level Physics Seminar Room, Room A30, Smith Hall Annex (CRC) Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue
1/12: Evolutionary Perspectives on Health and Disease
3:45 pm - 5:00 pm, Caspary Auditorium, Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue
The inflammatory response protects the body from infection and injury and allows it to reestablish a homeostatic state. But inflammation also operates at a cost to other physiological functions. During inflammation, the body can become more susceptible to certain diseases. Dr. Medzhitov’s research team is trying to learn more about the signals that initiate and control the process of inflammation, as well as the mechanisms responsible for inflammatory diseases.