Dear Friends: I hope this information is helpful.
Sr. Mary made a difference: STEPS to End Family Violence is heartbroken to announce that the dear friend, mentor, teacher, and founder, Sr. Mary Nerney passed away early this morning. As many of you know, she was diagnosed with stage four melanoma in October and has been surrounded by her dear friends and family throughout the past four weeks. Sr. Mary was a true inspiration. A counselor, fierce advocate, and a champion to countless women, she was the first to bring attention to the plight of incarcerated women who had survived lifetimes of violence and trauma. An institution herself in the East Harlem community, Sr. Mary founded Greenhope Services for Women, the Incarcerated Mothers Program, and STEPS to End Family Violence. She was a founding member of the Coalition for Women Prisoners at the Correctional Association of NY and co-chair of the Coalition’s Violence Against Women Committee. Through the committee, she worked tirelessly for the passage of the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act. Up until her diagnosis, she continued her beloved work visiting the women at Bedford Hills, providing support though group and individual counseling and assistance preparing for parole hearings and clemency requests. Sr. Mary was also a founding member of the East Harlem Human Services Consortium, serving as their Treasurer until recently, and an active member of the Harlem Community and Academic Partnership. A long-time educator and mentor to students of social justice, she was teaching from her bedside until just last week. Sr. Mary was a sister of the Congregation of Notre Dame and an active member and leader in the Catholic social justice movement. Thanksgiving was Sr. Mary’s favorite holiday. We are thankful, humbled and honored to have known and loved such an astonishing woman. We will miss her terribly. Information regarding services will be forthcoming.
-Green vendors:
Food Trucks Get Greener With Startup’s Plug-In Technology. See above for a link to a story about an innovative company, SimplyGrid, which is powering local food vendors with electricity as opposed to noisy and smelly diesel generators. I have introduced legislation, Intro 843-2012 and Intro 844-2012, which would make it easier for curbside electric vehicle chargers to be installed. This technology can power not just food vendors, but also delivery trucks, ambulances, and personal electric vehicles. This is an important environmental and quality of life issue, and I am actively working on this with the City Council and the Mayor’s Office.
EVENTS
–Monday, December 2, 2013, 3:00 PM – Mayoral Bill Signing on Int. 132-A in relation to requiring all public meetings be webcast. Bill singing in the Blue Room at City Hall, NY NY. All welcome. Mayor Bloomberg is signing my webcasting bill, Intro 132-A, into Law. This legislation will require that all city agencies, committees, task forces, and the City Council record their open meetings in digital video format, and webcast them live when practicable (The Council already webcasts). This legislation will bring an unprecedented level of transparency to New York City government, particularly for individuals who are unable to attend government meetings in person due to mobility or scheduling constraints.
-Monday, December 2,, 2013 5:30-9:00 p.m. Winter’s Eve Festival runs along Broadway in Manhattan from Time Warner Center to 68th St. Tree Lighting at Dante Park (Broadway & 63rd) with Arlo Guthrie, Rosie’s Theater Kids & Sade Baderwina at 5:30 p.m. See you at 5:30 p.m.!
-Monday, December 2, 2013, 7:00 – 10:00 PM — West Side Federation of Neighborhood & Block Associations Holiday Party at Dallas BBQ, 27 West 72nd Street, between Columbus Ave. & Central Park West, New York, NY 10023. Council Member Gale A. Brewer to receive Lifetime Achievement Award for her dedication and tireless work for the community.
–Monday, December 2, 2013, 6:30 – 8:30 PM – Real Rent Reform (R3) Meeting. Join Council Member and Manhattan Borough President-elect Gale A. Brewer at the final R3 meeting of 2013. Come out and hear updates on the Moreland Commission Investigations, the Steering Committee, and plans to keep building momentum for 2015. Meeting will take place at Goddard Community Center, 593 Columbus Ave (at 88th Street), NY NY
–Tuesday, December 3, 2013 2:00 AM – 4:00 PM LEARN: MS EXCEL FOR BEGINNERS AT Muhlenberg Library, Conference Room, 209 W 23rd St Manhattan A key tool for organizing and manipulating data, Microsoft Excel is the program that makes creating and understanding spreadsheets a snap. This course, geared for ages 50 and up, is designed to get you started on Excel 2010. Skill prerequisite: Microsoft Word for beginners. To register, stop by the library or call 212-924-1585. Free, registration required.
-Tuesday, December 3, 2013, 6:30 – 8 PM The Changing Status of Women in NYC, 1913-1950: The Case of Theresa Bernstein at Skylight Room The Graduate Center, City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, between 34th & 35th Street, NY NY No reservations required. Admittance first-come, first-served. Info (212) 817 8471 or www.gothamcenter.org Free.
-Tuesday, December 3, 2013, at 7pm at 122 East 83rd St., Manhattan – New York Times bestselling author and terrorism expert Richard Miniter will talk on his latest book, “Leading from Behind,” and more, sharing exclusive, up-to-the-minute info and insights on President Obama, terrorism, and foreign policy. Doors open 6:30 p.m. Admission $10, light refreshments. RSVP mail@metclubnyc.org or (212) 288-8606.
-Council Member Gale A. Brewer, Goddard Riverside’s SRO Law Project, and The Urban Justice Center present FREE 2013-2014 Monthly Housing Clinics and Workshops from October 2013 – June 2014 (6:00PM-8:00PM) at Goddard Riverside Community Center, 593 Columbus Avenue (between 88th and 89th Streets), Manhattan. On the first Wednesday of each month, the clinic will offer a presentation on a variety of topics, to be followed by a question and answer session. The funding is provided by the Housing Preservation Initiative of the New York City Council. Each evening, at least one staff attorney will meet with individuals who are seeking specific legal advice. ( Bilingue: Español) For questions, contact the Urban Justice Center at (646) 459-3017 or the Office of Council Member Brewer at (212) 873-0282. Sign-up sheet starting at 6pm each evening.
December 4, 2013: HPs, Repairs, Bedbugs & Cockroaches
January 8, 2014: Harassment *(Second Wednesday of the month)
February 5, 2014: Non-Primary Residence
March 5, 2014: DHCR Overview, including MCIs & 1/40ths
April 2, 2014: City-Wide Housing Related Campaigns
May 7, 2014: Preferential Rents, SCRIE & DRIE
June 4, 2014: Succession Rights (GRCC)
–Thursday, December 5, 2013 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Holiday Trunk Sale at 12 West 18th Street, Apt 3E (between 5th and 6th Avenue), NYC All proceeds from the evening will benefit Asian Women In Business. There is no charge to attend, but RSVP is required at www.awib.org/events. You can also contact info@awib.org or call (212) 868-1368. Get ready for the greatest Trunk Sale of the year! AWIB is here to help you prepare for the holidays with beautiful handbags, eye-catching jewelry and much more.
–Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 5pm-5:30pm The Metropolitan Opera’s annual holiday tree lighting. Set in front of the iconic arches of the opera house on Lincoln Center Plaza, the Met’s tree lighting ceremony is a fun event for the entire family. The festivities will include sing-along carols with members of the Met’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, performances by the Metropolitan Opera Brass, and excerpts from the company’s holiday presentation of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, sung by Met artists. Enjoy a holiday afternoon of music, complimentary refreshments, and hot drinks! In front of the Metropolitan Opera, on the Josie Robertson Plaza at Lincoln Center, NY NY
-LaGuardia High School Art’s 2013 Annual Musical, Grease! Performance Dates: December 5 @ 7:30 PM; December 6 @ 7:30 PM; December 7 @ 7:30 PM; December 8 @ 5:00 PM; December 12 @ 7:30 PM; December 13 @ 7:30 PM; December 14@ 7:30 PM; December 15 @ 3:00 PM, 122 Amsterdam Avenue, NY NY
-Saturday, December 7, 2013 from 9am-4pm (Registration is at 8:30 a.m. ) A special organizing summit and training for MoveOnmembers at 1199 SEIU Office, 310 West 43 Street, Manhattan. Free.
-Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at 6:30pm 2 West 64 Street, NY NY Human Rights Day and the Role of the United Nations- A screening of the documentary film U.N. Me which will be followed by a panel discussion on the role of the UN in human rights issues, international law, and justice. FREE
-Saturday, December 14, 2013, 2:00 – 5:00 PM — Apollo Theater & Coca-Cola’s Annual Winter Wonderland. The Apollo Theater and Coca-Cola’s annual Winter Wonderland is a free public event for the community and takes place in the historic Theater lobby as well as outside under the iconic Apollo marquee with performances and activities for families. The event is also toy and book drive to benefit STRIVE’s Strong Fathers, Stronger Families Program, which helps unemployed fathers provide holiday presents for their children. The Apollo Theater is at 253 West 125th Street, NY NY.
–Monday, December 16, 2013 6:30 p.m. Screening 7:30 p.m. Discussion Elebash Recital Hall | CUNY The Graduate Center 34th St and 5th Ave.,
Red Metal: The Copper Country Strike of 1913 Featuring Joshua Freeman, Distinguished Professor of History, The Graduate Center. Post-screening discussion Professor Joshua Freeman, Jonathan Silvers, Producer, Writer, Director, Robert Y. Lee, Co-Producer and Musical Director. Free, Reservations Required.
Click for more information & reservations or212.817.7130
-Saturday, December 21, 2013 Make Music Winter: Make Music New York, the annual celebration with over 1,000 free outdoor concerts on the first day of summer, launches more than a dozen participatory musical parades on the first night of winter, open to all. www.makemusicny.org
-Special Programs for the Holidays at Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83 Street, NY NY Sunday, December 22, 2013Performance: Definitely Dickens Christmas Carols Adorned in hand-made Victorian-style costumes, Definitely Dickens Holiday Carolers (including award-winning cabaret artists and Broadway veterans) sing holiday favorites, from classic hymns to jazzy show stoppers. 2 & 3pm | All Ages | Pick up free tickets at Visitor Information Desk. Thursday, December 26, 2013 Performance: Roots, Rhythms and Revolution Learn about the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Dancer Wema Harris will take you on a journey that celebrates the passion of dance through rhythm, drums and the spoken word. 3 & 4pm | All ages| Pick up free tickets at Visitor Information Desk. Sunday, December 29, 2013 Performance: Itty Biddies The Itty Biddies are a rocking, joyful combo that will lift you out of your seat from the first note. Their soaring vocals and music will take you on a journey and send you singing and dancing all the way home. 3 & 4pm | All Ages | Pick up free tickets at Visitor Information Desk.
-Tuesday, December 31, 2013 8:30pm-1am New Year’s Eve Party at Ethical Culture, 2 West 64 Street, NY NY 212-874-5210 or info@socialserviceboard.org. $125.00
-Thursday, January 30, 2014United for Action is planning to organize a forum on Wind Farms vs. LNG Ports: Offshore Energy Choices. It will be held at the Rutgers Presbyterian Church on W. 73rd Street and Broadway. The event will start at 6:30 pm with doors open at 6:00 pm. We will have Sean Dixon, from Clean Ocean Action, who will speak about the proposed LNG Port and David Alicea, from Sierra Club, who will speak about the proposed off shore wind farm.
JOBS
-The Women’s City Club is searching for an Executive Director.
OTHER
-Lower Manhattan Cultural Council – Opportunities for Artists Save the Date Workspace 2014-2015 Info Sessions Dec 18 2013 and Jan 15, 2014. Application Deadline Jan 30, 2014. http://www.lmcc.net/residencies/workspace?utm_source=LMCC+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=c0ed8002f1-&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_cc1d7f295c-c0ed8002f1-45406633
-A friend’s daughter who works as a teacher and is in grad school, lives in a great two-bedroom apartment on the Upper East Side, and is looking for a roommate. Let me know if you are interested and I will pass the info to her. gab@pipeline.com
-Computer Science Education Week is taking place December 8 to 14, 2013. And part of the program is Hour of Code. This event will be the first chance for millions of students from across the country to get their first taste of computer science education — a field that is now fundamental to all occupations in the 21st century and one where high-paying jobs are growing rapidly. Info: http://hourofcode.org/elected
-In conformance with Chapter 70, Section 2800 of the New York City Charter, attached please find the Department of City Planning’s report on the proportion of each Community District’s population represented by each Council Member. This data will also be made available on the Department of City Planning webpage, Population Data Section, located here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/census/popdiv.shtml . If you have any questions about the data contained within this report, please direct them to Joseph Salvo, Director of the City Planning Population Division at (212) 720-3434 or JSalvo@planning.nyc.gov
-The White House Internship: A Public Service Leadership Program The White House Internship Program provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and build leadership skills. This hands-on program is designed to mentor and cultivate today’s young leaders, strengthen their understanding of the Executive Office and prepare them for future public service opportunities. The White House Internship Program’s mission is to make the “People’s House” accessible to future leaders from around the nation. The application for the Summer 2014 White House Internship Program is now open. To apply for the White House Internship Program, please see Apply Here. For application deadlines and program dates, please see Internship Timeline and FAQs. Jan 5, 2014 is I think the deadline. Check. http://youtu.be/CsVrsb_0m_g http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/internships
-Google believes that information should be universally accessible. Their education and scholarship programs aim to inspire and help students become future leaders in computing and technology by breaking down the barriers that prevent them from entering these fields. If selected, scholarship recipients will each receive a $10,000 USD or $5,000 CAD scholarship for the 2014-2015 academic year and be invited to attend the all-expense paid Annual Google Scholars’ Retreat at the Googleplex this coming summer 2014. Scholarships will be awarded based on the strength of applicants’ academic background, leadership, and demonstrated passion for computer science. Please see below for a list of open scholarships. All scholarship applications are due on December 2, 2013. Google Anita Borg Scholarship is open to current female undergraduate or graduate students who will be studying at a university in the United States or Canada for the 2014-2015 academic year. Generation Google Scholarship is open to current undergraduate or graduate students from an underrepresented background in computer science who will be studying at a university in United States or Canada for the 2014-2015 academic year. Google Lime Scholarship is open to current undergraduate or graduate students with disabilities who will be studying at a university in United States or Canada for the 2014-2015 academic year. Google SVA Scholarship for student veterans is open to current undergraduate or graduate student veterans who will be studying at a university in the United States for the 2014-2015 academic year. For complete details on all of the scholarships, please visit www.google.com/students/scholarships.
TEN FINALISTS FROM ACROSS THE U.S. ANNOUNCED FOR FIRST-EVER MUSIC EDUCATOR AWARD™ PRESENTED BY THE RECORDING ACADEMY® AND THE GRAMMY FOUNDATION