Thursday, August 26: Voting Machine Demo

The New York City Board of Elections will give a non-partisan, hands-on demonstration of the NEW VOTING MACHINES at Goddard Riverside Community Center (GRCC), 593 Columbus Avenue at 88 Street; First session at 2pm; Second session at 7:30pm. Hosted by GRCC and Community Free Democrats.

Tuesday, September 14: Primary Election

Primary Election in New York. We will be voting on new machines; demonstrations are available at the Manhattan Board of Elections on weekdays. 9am-7pm, at 200 Varick Street (off Houston), NY NY 10014. 866-868-3692.

Countdown signals are being installed on Broadway from Columbus Circle to West 169 Street.

Protected Bike Lane Coming To Columbus Avenue

As part of the NYC Department of Transportation’s (DOT) bike lane program, the DOT will be implementing a protected bike lane along Columbus Avenue from West 96 Street to West 77 Street. Installing a parking-protected bicycle path on the east side of the street will enhance safety and mobility; the existing curbside parking lane will be replaced with a floating (offset) parking lane. DOT began implementation of the protected bike lane during the week of Monday, August 16, and will continue into September. Phase I of the work will be between West 96 and West 86 Streets; Phase II will be between West 86 to West 77 Streets and will begin Monday, September 13.

Phase 2 work includes street resurfacing and adding dedicated left-turn lanes at West 86th, West 81st and West 77th Streets, with separate bike and left-turn traffic signals. DOT is also installing concrete pedestrian refuge islands to shorten crossing distance and improve safety at approximately 28 intersections. Finally, left turn safety treatments will be installed at some intersections, replacing some metered parking spaces. In addition to the floating parking lane, vehicle owners should be aware there will be changes to some metered parking spaces along Columbus Avenue. If drivers are ticketed within 3 days of a change in the parking regulation, please contact Gale Brewer's office with a copy of the ticket.

PREVIOUS

Saturday, August 21, 10am-3pm
Electronic and Textiles Recycling Event
North side of LaSalle (south of 125th St) b/t Broadway & Amsterdam

Bring your unwanted electronics and textiles to West Harlem/Morningside Heights. Recycle computers, laptops, monitors, printers, fax machines, PDAs, cameras, phones, cables, cellphones, radios, calculators, tape players, DVD players and VCRs. NO TELEVISIONS ACCEPTED. There is a $5 per electronic item charge to help cover recycling expenses. Bring clean and dry textiles like clothing, shoes, towels, sheets, scarves, hats, bags and belts for reuse or recycling (no charge). This event is sponsored by Morningside Gardens Community Relations Comm. & The Morningside Heights West Harlem Sanitation Coalition. For more information contact Joan at 212 666-6157 or jslevine100@msn.com

June 1: Columbus Avenue Bike Lane

In a final vote of 23-19, Community Board #7 voted to allow DOT to install a protected bike lane on Columbus Avenue It was, in the words of Lisa Sladkus from Transportation Alternatives, a real “nail biter.”

Subway Completion Dates

Substantial completion of 59th Street Columbus Circle is expected summer 2010; and substantial completion of the 96th Street IRT station is expected late fall 2010. As you know, the head house has opened. Regarding the 93-94 Street Broadway entrances to the 96 Street IRT, the east side entrance is temporarily closed and is currently scheduled to reopen on Monday, July 12. About a week following the reopening of the east side entrance, the west side entrance is scheduled to close for approximately nine weeks.

May 20: Riverwalk

On May 20, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe was joined by City Council Member Gale Brewer, State Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, Riverside Park Fund President John Herrold, and many members of the community to cut the ribbon on a new waterfront path in Riverside Park. Those in attendance were then joined by a marching band in leading a ceremonial procession up the Greenway from West 83rd Street to West 91st Street.

“When Riverside Park was first built in the late 19th century, its name was somewhat of a misnomer since a railway and a busy industrial waterfront separated it from the river. But, in the ensuing years, the city would bring the park to the ‘river’s side,’” said Commissioner Benepe. “Today’s opening of the Riverwalk is a significant achievement as, for the first time, it provides a continuous waterfront path from West 83rd to 91st Streets, and provides the final link of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway along the Hudson River from Battery Park to Dyckman Street.

This $15.7 million project was funded with over $15 million in capital funds allocated by Mayor Bloomberg, $400,000 from Gale Brewer’s office, and nearly $300,000 in funds provided by the Federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, with assistance from the New York State Department of Transportation. The project is a momentous occasion for walkers, joggers, and cyclists as it celebrates the completion of a continuous waterfront path in Riverside Park, and provides the final link of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway stretching from Battery Park to Dyckman Street. ENJOY IT!!!

Sunday, June 27: Computer & Cell Phone Recycling

When: Sunday, June 27, 12 Noon – 5 pm
Where: 125 West 76th Street (between Columbus & Amsterdam)
in school parking lot, north side of the street

May 24: Riverside South/Center

Riverside South/Center was certified at the City Planning Commission on May 24, 2010. Community Board 7 has scheduled the following hearings (60 day ULURP clock). Please attend all of the meetings and hearings. Info: 212-362-4008 or www.cb7.org

•  Thursday, June 3, 2010, Riverside Center Public Hearing at 6:30pm At 1865 Broadway (West 61 St.)

• Tuesday, June 15, 2010, Riverside Center Public Hearing, at 6:30pm at PS 191, 210 West 61st St. (Amsterdam Ave.)

• Tuesday, June 29, 2010, Riverside Center Public Hearing, at 6:30 PM  (Tentative)--Full Board Meeting: July 6, 2010, 6:30 PM at Congregation Rodeph Sholom, 7 West 83rd Street (Central Park West) 

Housing Clinics & Workshops
6 pm - 8 pm
Goddard Riverside Community Center
647 Columbus Avenue, at 92 Street, NYC

Sponsored by Council Member Gale A. Brewer …Goddard Riverside’s SRO Law Project and Urban Justice Center’s Housing Clinics and Workshops, including legal advice on all matters listed below.  Much thanks to Council Member Eric Dilan, Chair, Housing Committee, NYC Council, who supports the initiative that funds these workshops.  Dates:

• November 4, 2009 – Harassment

• December 2, 2009 – HPs Repairs, Bedbugs and Cockroaches

• February 3, 2010 – Preferential rents

• March 3, 2010 – City-wide housing related campaigns

• April 7, 2010 – DHCR Overview, including MCIs and 1/40ths

• May 5, 2010 – Owner’s use 

• June 2, 2010 – Succession Rights

 

Monday, May 31, Memorial Day

From 10:00am-11:30am is the annual Memorial Day observance at the Soldiers’ and Sailors' Monument at Riverside Park at 89th Street, Manhattan. This year’s ceremony honors the men and women of the United States Navy. The U.S. Navy Band will perform a concert, beginning at 10am. The Grand Procession, led by the New York Scottish Pipes and Drums and Sailors and Marines from the Visiting Fleet, sets off at 10:30 sharp. The U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard will be joined by honorary color guards of The Sons of Union Veterans, and the Veteran Corps of Artillery in their historic uniforms. Rear Admiral Mark S. Boensel, Commander, Navy MidAtlantic Region, will give the annual memorial address. Veteran’s, Civic, and Heritage organizations including the Navy League, American Legion, Jewish War Veterans, Montford Point Marines, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Confederacy, and The Old Guard of the City of New York will lay 20 wreaths at the Memorial. More than 800 people are expected. All welcome. Be on time to hear the Navy Band. Much thanks to Dr. George Chall and the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Association, as well as the Parks Department.

March 17: Extell Plans for Riverside South, Riverside Center

For information on the impact of Extell's Riverside Center construction, you can find comprehensive and illustrated reports under Announcements on the Community Board 7 Web site (there's a link on the Resources: Government page, but we'll make it easy: www.nyc.gov/html/mancb7/html/announcements/announcements.shtml).

Thursday, February 11 (NEW DATE): Grand Re-Opening
St. Agnes Branch Library
11 am
444 Amsterdam Avenue (between 81st and 82nd Streets)

New York City Council Member Gale A. Brewer, Speaker Christine Quinn and the New York Public Library invite you to the Grand Reopening of the newly renovated St. Agnes Branch Library made possible by capital funds from the New York City Council .

Tuesday, January 12: Film Screening
The Vanishing City
7:00 pm
Judson Memorial Church
55 Washington Square South (A/B/C to West 4th Street)

• The Vanishing City is a new film about the plight of small business and how it is affecting our neighborhoods and quality of life in our city.

• Suggested donation: $5 is requested   

Friday, January 15: Community Board Applications Due

We encourage all interested applicants to attend this session in order to gain a better understanding of community boards, the roles and responsibilities of community board members, and the community board application process. Please see attached for more information

CB Meeting: Monday, January 11
6:30 pm -8:00 pm at Community Board 12
711 West 168th Street.

Flyer promoting CB participation

Information regarding Community Boards and CB application

2009

Dec 8: NY Times Articles Report Dangers to Our Drinking Water!!

Read these two articles on threats to our drinking water and then, if you have not already done so, sign on to Borough President Scott Stringer's letter writing campaign (scroll down to boldface paragraph below).

Nov 10: "Kill the Drill" Rally and Campaign

Dear Friends: 

Last week’s Kill the Drill rally was a huge success!  Thanks to your support and participation, hundreds of people came out on November 10th to rally before the State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) hearing to send a clear message that we must ban natural gas drilling in the New York City watershed.  Even more people attended the hearing afterwards, where I testified before the DEC.  You can check out the coverage on the rally and hearing here. 

While our efforts around the hearing were an important step in our Kill the Drill campaign, we can’t let up the fight.  We have until December 31st to publicly comment on the draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS), and we must use every day to send the clearest message possible to the DEC: ban drilling in the NYC watershed!

I strongly urge each and every one of you to send in formal comments on the SGEIS.  It is important that this testimony be focused on the content in the SGEIS, and to help focus your testimony, I recommend reading this helpful guide from NRDC, Earthjustice and Riverkeeper.  All written comments can be sent via email or mail to: Attn: dSGEIS Comments, Bureau of Oil & Gas Regulation, NYSDEC Division of Mineral Resources, 625 Broadway, Third Floor, Albany, NY 12233-6500. 

Also participate in our letter writing campaign by signing this letter to Governor Paterson.  My office has already collected over one thousand letters, but I know this is just a fraction of the people who want their voices heard in this fight.   In addition to signing a letter, I charge you to get ten of your family members or friends to do the same.  Letters can be returned to my office at 1 Centre Street, 19th Floor South, New York, NY 10007 or by fax at 212-669-3380. 

Finally, add your organization to the over 70 elected officials, environmental organizations and community groups already a part of the Kill the Drill campaign by contacting Sari Bernstein of my staff at 212-669-8151 or sbernstein@manhattanbp.org.  Also join our facebook group and visit my website regularly for updates.

Thank you again for your ongoing support and efforts, and for your participation in the rally and hearing.  If we keep up this fight together, I’m confident we can Kill the Drill! 

Sincerely, 
Scott M. Stringer
Manhattan Borough President

Oct 29:  Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals offers $10 microchipping and the low-cost vet mobile can come to your neighborhood. 718-544-7387 or www.animalalliancenyc.org

Tuesday, July 28: Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP)

6-8 PM at DCTV’s Third Floor Conference Room
(located at 87 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10013)

Council Member Gale A. Brewer invites all members of the New York City technology community to discuss the recently released Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) funding that has been made available through the federal stimulus package which passed in February 2009.  The purpose of this event is to help galvanize interested applicants around common goals. Please distribute this invitation widely and invite all pertinent stakeholders to attend.  Attached is a ‘Dear Friend’ letter with more detailed information.

Please contact Kunal Malhotra [kmalhotra@council.nyc.gov] or Sam Wong [samwong.nycc@gmail.com] at (212) 788-6975 if you have any questions and suggestions.

Thank you for your time and we look forward to working together,

Samuel Wong, Legislative Aide on Technology
Kunal Malhotra, Director of Legislation & Budget

Saturday Noon, February 28: NYC Drinking Water Threatened by Toxic Chemicals
Demonstration at Central Park Reservoir
Fifth Avenue and 90th Street (Engineer's Gate)

Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, joined by environmental groups including Riverkeeper and the Sierra Club, will call for a ban on natural gas drilling in New York City’s upstate watershed. Describing the drilling process using toxic and carcinogenic chemicals as “the greatest health risk to New Yorkers in a generation,” Borough President Stringer will call on the state to forbid such drilling in or near all areas that feed the city’s reservoirs. 

October 27: Public Space Recycling Program

Starting October 27th, a total of 105 new colorful blue and green recycling bins will be positioned at major hubs and destinations around< the City (please see the list below). These new bins will help further prevent recyclable products from ending up in street corner litter< baskets. In our neighborhood, the bins are at the intersection of Broadway and 72nd Street.

Senior Citizens

NY Council reported in August a budget that includes funding for the following programs and services aimed at strengthening the lives of today's seniors:

• Senior Meals ($4 million) - Seniors across the five boroughs will continue to receive the quality, nutritious meals they deserve and need to remain healthy, strong and independent.

Mental Health Services ($2.4 million) - Funding will be used to provide mental health screenings and other critical services to seniors in non-traditional settings, such as shelters and senior centers.

Medicare Rights Center ($32,000)To provide information and services to seniors on key Medicare topics, such as selecting a Part D plan, avoiding HMO marketing abuses, how to apply for low-income Medicare programs, and the range of benefits covered by Medicare.

Healthy Aging Initiative ($1.35 million) - To provide programs that address a wide range of senior health issues, such as early detection of diseases, immunizations, fall prevention and chronic disease management.

HIV Prevention and Health Literacy for Seniors ($640,000) - A lack of awareness about HIV/AIDS and effective prevention is helping to fuel the spread of the disease among people age 60 and older. This allocation will provide new funding in the amount of $640,000, for a total of $1 million with the State match, to develop tailored HIV prevention and education messages that target the older adult population, aging service providers and health care providers.

Manhattan Electronic Recycling/Clothing Donation Event

Rain or shine, on Saturday, September 13, 8 am 2 pm, you can take your unwanted electronics equipment and gently used clothing and linens to Columbia University, 116th Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Morningside Drive; cars enter at 116th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.

Acceptable electronics: computers and laptops; monitors; printers & scanners (desktop only); keyboards & mice; TVs; VCRs, DVRs, DVD players; portable digital music players; cell phones. Other kinds of electronics will not be accepted. Recycling keeps hazardous materials contained in electronics out of the waste stream. Cellphones will benefit victims of domestic violence through a special NYC program. No tax deduction receipts.

Only dry, clean, gently used clothing (pants, dresses, shirts, sweaters, shoes, handbags, belts)and linens (blankets, towels, sheets, curtains, tablecloths). Place them in securely tied plastic bags to prevent moisture contamination. Tax donation receipts from Goodwill on request.

These events happen twice a year and are organized by the NY Sanitation Department's Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling For more information, call 311 or www.nyc.gov/wasteless

311 Expanded to Include Tracking Complaints

Jan 23 - 311 has been expanded to empower New Yorkers to check the status of a 311 service request on the Web at www.nyc.gov, and to give New Yorkers the option of receiving a confirmation email from 311 with both their service request number and a link to the tracking site. (Direct link in Resources: Government.)

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West 75th Street Block Association
33 Riverside Drive, #2A
New York, NY 10023

info@w75ba.org

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