February News: Universal After School, Apply for Pre-K/3K, Library Re-Opening, Ban Toxic Pesticides, and More Affordable Housing

 
Universal After School

As CBS 2 and the Daily News reported, I authored legislation with Youth Service Chair Rose and Education Chair Treyger to guarantee every public school students universal after school. It is far less common for children to have a stay-at-home parent than it was a generation ago and far more common for parents to work late, with New Yorkers on average working some of the longest hours in the nation. In New York there are 584,597 children in K-12 schools who are left alone and unsupervised during after-school hours. We know from research that after-school programming keeps young people positively engaged during the hours of 2 to 6pm when they are most vulnerable to get in trouble with the criminal justice system. With a recent spike in young adults robbing younger students in the area, we need Universal After School more than ever. For more information, check out coverage from The Brooklyn Reporter, amNewYork, the Daily News, and CBS 2.

Help us win Universal After School by signing the petition at BenKallos.com/universalafterschool
 

Ban Toxic Pesticides from Our Parks

Following a rally on the steps of City Hall, dozens of experts and children testified in favor of legislation I authored to ban toxic pesticides that can cause cancer from being sprayed in our city’s parks where children play. As CBS 2 New York reported, on the day of the hearing the Black Institute published a report accusing the Parks Department of environmental racism after it found that cancer-causing pesticides were sprayed much more frequently in parks in communities of color. Some of the activists who joined us for the rally and hearing included “Rev” Billy Talen of the Stop Shopping Choir, former Kindergarten teacher Paula Ragovin, and the students from P.S. 290 who originally called for this legislation.
   
All families should be able to enjoy our city parks without having to worry that they are being exposed to cancer-causing pesticides. For more on this issue, see coverage from the CBS 2 New York  and New York Daily News.

Now that we've gotten the hearing, we need your help to ban toxic pesticides from our parks, so add your name to our petition at BenKallos.com/Petition/BanToxicPesticides
 

Progress on Sidewalk Sheds and Scaffolding

The New York Times recently reported on the shocking 1,400 buildings around the City with sidewalk shed that aren't up because of ongoing construction but because they have failed to fix facade issues for which the Department of Buildings has issued a whopping $31 million in violations that have gone unpaid. As I said in the article, landlords must take care of their buildings and we can't just let our city crumble around us.

Since I was elected we've been working to pass legislation I authored to force landlords to do make repairs and get sidewalk sheds down as well as force the city to inspect every sidewalk shed so they never fall on anyone else. In December, the Department of Buildings announced facade inspection reforms doubling their façade inspection team staff, adding more frequent and thorough inspections of building, and following my legislative proposal for the city to make repairs and bill the owner for the most hazardous conditions.  You can read more in Crain's New York and The City.
 

Using Drones to Help Inspect Building Facades

Fox 5 covered my criticism of the fact that we are still inspecting building facades with centuries-old techniques such as binoculars, telescopes, and even feeling bricks with our hands. Last month the City Council heard legislation authored by Housing and Buildings Chair Robert Cornegy that I co-prime sponsored that would study the use of drones for facade inspections.  Learn more in coverage from Fox 5 and the New York Post.
 


EDUCATION
 
67th Street Library Ribbon Cutting

We kicked off the new year with a winter festival story-time and ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the 67th Street Library’s re-opening. We celebrated the 114-year-old building’s $2.5 million make-over, which included a new roof, HVAC system, facade, and technology upgrades. The event was personal for me because this is the library where I got my first library card and checked out books for class research when I was in elementary school at Park East. Thank you to Speaker Corey Johnson for providing the $1.5 million in funding that I requested and to Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York Public Library for the remaining $1 million. Learn more at BenKallos.com/press-releases
 

Apply for Pre-K and 3K
 
If you have a child born in 2016 or 2017 please be sure to apply for 3K and Pre-K. As of this school year we have enough seats in the neighborhood for Pre-K. While we do not have any 3K seats physically on the Upper East Side you are welcome to apply anywhere that does and it will help demonstrate need for our neighborhood. If you you do apply, please let me know by emailing UPK@BenKallos.com.

Pre-K and 3-K applications open on February 5th, 2020. Applications for Pre-K are due by Monday, March 16, 2020, while applications for 3-K are due by April 24th, 2020. For more information, the Department of Education is hosting an 3K/Pre-K Information Session in Manhattan on Tuesday, February 11th at 6:30 or 7:30 PM at Mosaic Preparatory Academy, 141 East 111th Street.
 
If you have any questions about Pre-K in the district, you can email UPK@BenKallos.com or visit www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/pre-k
 


INVITES
 
Black History Month Celebration
 
Please join me and Assembly Member Robert Rodriguez as we celebrate Black History Month at Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center with the theme of “African Americans and the Vote.”

Black History Month:
African Americans and the Vote
Thursday, February 20, 2PM - 4PM
Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center, 415 E 93rd St
RSVP
 

Drag Queen Story Hour
 

Join HARMONICA SUNBEAM for Drag Queen Story Hour (#DQSH), happening twice this month. Stories, songs, and crafts for kids ages 3-8. Drag Queen Story Hour captures the imagination and play of gender fluidity in childhood and gives kids glamorous and unapologetically LGBTQ role models. A drag queen will read inclusive books as well as storytime favorites and lead participants in a fun craft! 
 
Drag Queen Story Hour 
February 6, 4pm – 5pm 
Webster Branch, 1465 York Ave
RSVP

Drag Queen Story Hour 
February 13, 11am – 12pm 
Roosevelt Island, 542 Main Street
RSVP


Mammogram Vans

Do you need a Mammogram? The American Italian Cancer Foundation and my office have made it possible to receive one at no cost to you. You must be a woman over the age of 40 to qualify for the No-Cost Mammogram. No co-pays are required and deductibles are waived. Uninsured patients are also welcomed. The Mammogram Van will be at Stanley Isaac Center and Roosevelt Island. Call for an appointment 877-628-9090.


Open Data Training for Manhattan Community Boards and the Public

In this intro to NYC Open Data training, participants will learn the terms and processes essential to working with NYC Open Data. They will learn how to access and manipulate a variety of NYC open data sets relevant to their local community in a series of "data journey" exercises. Participants will become familiar with the technologies and tools that were designed with community boards— like BoardStat, an easy-to-use data analytics tool— to harness NYC Open Data to gain valuable insight into their local community. Come ready to learn, share and get right into data sets and graphs!
 
Manhattan Community Boards Open Data Training
Wednesday, February 12
5pm – 7pm
Webster Branch, NYPL 
1465 York Ave
RSVP
 

$10 Indoor Tennis
 
$10 tennis during the 30-week winter season ending April 12, 2020: 

• $10 per person senior (over 62) clinic with stretching, warm-up, tennis drills, instructions, offered Monday – Friday: 6:00 am - 7:00 am, 7:00-8:00 am, 1:00-2:00 pm, 2:00-3:00 pm
• $10 per person during drop-in hours weekday mornings (6am - 8am), afternoons, (1pm - 3pm) and evenings (10pm - 12am) and weekend mornings (6am - 8am) and evenings (8pm - 12pm).

This has been made possible by the work and support of Community Board 8, Congress Member Carolyn Maloney, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and Assembly Member Dan Quart. Get more information at info@suttoneasttennis.com, by calling 212-751-3452, or read the release.


SAVE THE DATE: Ben Kallos Chess Challenge

Please join hundreds of students from across the five boroughs at the 2020 Ben Kallos Chess Tournament by Chess in the Schools on Saturday, March 21st. Last year students from dozens of schools enjoyed competing in the tournament.
 
The tournament registration is free with fees funded through my office and open to students from K - 12. For more information visit ChessInTheSchools.org.
 
Ben Kallos Chess Challenge
March 21, 9am – 4pm 
Eleanor Roosevelt High School
411 East 76th Street 
RSVP



AFFORDABLE HOUSING
 
Getting More Affordable Housing Back on the Market

For the people who think that they can build their way out of the housing crisis with market rate condos, the New York Times and The Atlantic recently shared that of all the condos built since 1995, half of them are sitting there empty. For those who have an oversimplified understanding of economics or who believe we just need to have supply exceed demand, it’s time to face the reality that developers would rather leave their condos empty than make anything affordable for everyday New Yorkers.

I support Mayor de Blasio’s plan to build or preserve 300,000 units of affordable housing. But those units are only offered through a lottery involving tens if not hundreds of thousands of people for each one. Being able to afford to live in our great city shouldn't just be a matter of winning the lottery.

Worse yet, I learned from a hero and whistleblower, Stephen Werner at HPD, that more than 50,000 units of affordable housing might be getting billions in city subsidies while charging market rates. Working with him, Pro Publica, and his union the Organization of Staff Analysts, we authored Local Law 64 to force landlords to register every city-subsidized affordable unit and to let middle-class and low-income New Yorkers apply for hundreds of thousands of units of existing affordable housing.

When we passed Local Law 64 the Wall Street Journal noted that although we captured income-restricted affordable housing we failed to include market rate units in buildings receiving subsidies that were subject to protection from rent increases under rent stabilization. So I authored Introduction 1757 to include more of these units while exempting smaller independently owned buildings with 10 or fewer units as well as co-sponsoring legislation to exclude HDFCs and Mitchell-Lama buildings. As you may have read in the Daily News, the law I authored gained the support of the administration and is on track to make more units of rent regulated housing available to more New Yorkers. Local Law 64 should go into effect as early as this June when a new Housing Connect will launch that will allow you to match with thousands of units of existing affordable housing.
 

Suing for Heat & Hot Water in NYCHA
Residents of NYCHA public housing have a right to heat and hot water which is why I am proud to provide modest funding from our office for TakeRoot Justice to represent the Holmes-Isaacs Coalition in their lawsuit against the city for heat and hot water.
 

Celebrating 50 Years of Preservation 

I had the honor of awarding the Historic Districts Council a proclamation for 50 years of outstanding service to the community. HDC is dedicated to preserving historic neighborhoods, buildings and public spaces across the five boroughs, upholding the integrity of New York City’s Landmarks Law and furthering the preservation ethic.

Representing a constituency of over 500 community organizations across all five boroughs, HDC has been involved in the creation of almost 100+ officially designated historic districts in New York, which encompass almost 30,000 individual buildings. HDC has organized residents, secured funding for studies, given public testimony and worked with city agencies for 50 years. Thank you to HDC! Watch the award ceremony.
 

East River Fifties Alliance Update

On January 15, a New York State Supreme Court judge issued a decision upholding the Board of Standards and Appeals' grandfathering of construction of a superscraper at 430 East 58th Street.  The Court’s written opinion lists the documents that were reviewed as a basis for reaching a decision, and we were concerned to see that many of the documents we submitted were not included in the review. I continue to serve as a Plaintiff and pro-bono to ERFA as we plan to file a Notice of Appeal. In the meantime, we must not forget what we have achieved. If we had not organized the way we did and had this grassroots rezoning, more 800-foot towers would have marched up from Billionaire's Row into Sutton and the residential streets of the East Side. For more information on the ruling and the next steps, visit ERFA.NYC
 

Reforming New York City’s Property Tax System
 
New York City’s property tax system is broken. Property assessments are not reflective of true market values and place a heavy burden on condo and co-op owners. Although it is complex, the property tax system is essential to our city, as it provides city government with its single largest revenue stream, good for roughly $27.8 billion last fiscal year. Fixing property taxes may be as complex as the problem itself, involving both state and city levers of change, and possible interventions at every stage of the process.

In May 2018, Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson announced they would create a commission of “blue chip” experts to explore the issue of Property Tax Equity. The Commission was tasked to, first, examine everything from the way different property values are assessed to relief for vulnerable homeowners, then solicit input from the public and specialists and make recommendations for reform.

The Commission released its report in late January, complete with 10 recommendations to improve the City’s property tax system:

1. Moving coops, condominiums and rental buildings with up to 10 units into a new residential class along with 1-3 family homes. The property tax system would continue to consist of four classes of property: residential, large rentals, utilities, and commercial.
2. Using a sales-based methodology to value all properties in the residential class.
3. Assessing every property in the residential class at its full market value.
4. Annual market value changes in the new residential class be phased in over five years at a rate of 20% per year, and that Assessed Value Growth Caps should be eliminated.    
5. Creating a partial homestead exemption for primary resident owners with income below a certain threshold. The exemption would be available to all eligible primary resident owners in the residential class and would replace the current Coop-Condo Tax Abatement.
6. Creating a circuit breaker within the property tax system to lower the property tax burden on low-income primary resident owners, based on the ratio of property tax paid to income.
7. Replacing the current class share system with a system that prioritizes predictable and transparent tax rates for property owners. The new system would freeze the relationship of tax rates among the tax classes for five-year periods, after which time the City would conduct a mandated study to analyze if adjustments need to be made to maintain consistency in the share of taxes relative to fair market value borne by each tax class.
8. Current valuation methods should be maintained for properties not in the new residential class (rental buildings with more than 10 units, utilities, and commercial).
9. Gradual transition to the new system for current owners, with an immediate transition into the new system whenever a property in the new residential class is sold.
10. Comprehensive reviews of the property tax system every 10 years.

The first recommendation is something that cooperative and condominium owners in my district have requested since I got elected. There will be public hearings coming up in February and March so please consider testifying on what works, what doesn't, and how the recommendations can be improved. Please remember that we must pass something comprehensive, that their will be winners and losers, and if you don't testify or at least weigh in with me, you won't have your voice in the future of property taxes.

The report is 72 pages and can be accessed online at
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/propertytaxreform/report/preliminary-report.page



FOOD INSECURITY
 
Suing to Protect the Homeless

As Chair of the Contracts Committee, I want to ensure that every tax dollar is being spent responsibly and when it comes to homeless services that those who need those services actually get them. At our previous hearing on homeless service contracts, I asked if any provider was too big to fail and why the city couldn't just step in and take over so the homeless get the services they need. As The New York Daily News reported, the city is now suing to take over 24 homeless shelters run by a nonprofit that is under investigation for fraud. For more on this, check out coverage from NY1.
 

Local Food Procurement

In 2011, the City Council passed Local Law 50, authored by now-Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer. The law sought to force the purchase of locally grown food by forcing vendors with the city to report on their efforts to buy local. Borough President Brewer found that few if any vendors were reporting on local food purchasing. Borough President Brewer testified at the hearing, reiterating that the expansion of access to healthy and delicious foods will increase economic development for our city and noting that the law is “only as helpful as the Administration’s directive to agencies and vendors that buying from New York state farms is a New York City priority.” We received a lot of expert testimony including from the Hunter College New York City Food Policy Center recommended mandating food agencies to provide sourcing information, incentivizing reporting on local food procurement data and implementing penalties for a failure to report. We will continue to push forward with strengthening the effects of Local Law 50 and our overall goal of local food procurement.
 

Opening a New Soup Kitchen

I was happy to spend New Years Day at the opening of the brand new Loving Arms Soup Kitchen on 86th Street and 1st Avenue. Thanks to the Bronx Parent Housing Network, a nonprofit organization that specializes in social services and affordable housing, the kitchen will be serving lunch and dinner every week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. As Upper East Side Patch reported, I believe that no community, including the Upper East Side, is immune to the sad reality of families facing hunger and so we must bolster outreach to those in need whenever and wherever possible. For more information about the soup kitchen, watch coverage from Fox 5 and Pix 11 at BenKallos.com/videos



JOBS

Expanding Business Opportunities for Women and People of Color
 
As Chair of the Committee on Contracts, I joined MWBE Taskforce Chair Robert Cornegy in a hearing focusing on expanding business opportunities for $16 billion in city contracts for businesses owned by women and people of color.
 

Celebrating the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce's Centennial Anniversary

I had the honor of awarding the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce a proclamation recognizing their 100 years of service to Manhattan businesses and residents. The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce is a community of businesses, including startups, long-time neighborhood stores, mid-market firms and large companies that help one another succeed. It facilitates strategic partnerships, deals and brand elevation among businesses of all sizes. The Chamber is a guardian of small businesses and startups that must navigate the costs and complexities of New York and I am proud to work with them when and wherever I can to create jobs in Manhattan.  You can learn more and even join at ManhattanCC.org.
 

Construction Union Rallies Against Wage Theft

I continued to rally with both union and non-union immigrant construction workers, demanding payment surpassing $70,000 in owed wages. In December, we held a rally that called on one of the largest construction management companies in New York City, New Line Structures, to ensure their subcontractors pay workers the wages they are owed for work they have completed. The rally also called for those same contractors to follow all the mandated safety regulations that New York City has put into place over the past six years. Construction is already dangerous work. This danger should not be compounded by risky behavior from management and constant worry about proper compensation. For more information on the rally, read the release at BenKallos.com/Press-releases.


Serving Up Justice with Fast-food Workers
 
Standing with fast-food workers as they continue to fight for a union and for the “just cause” protections.
 

Computer Science Career Fair

On Friday, February 21st, the CCNY Career and Professional Development Institute will be hosting a Computer Science Career Fair on the campus of CCNY in the NAC Ballroom from 12pm-3pm. This fair is focused on computer science and computer engineering students and graduates.

To register or for more information visit: www.ccny.cuny.edu/cpdi/computer-science-career-fair

Apply for Census Jobs 

Ahead of the 2020 Census, the U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting thousands of people for temporary jobs across the country.

These positions provide the perfect opportunity to earn some extra income while helping your community. The results of the 2020 Census will help determine each state’s representation in Congress, as well as how certain funds are spent for schools, hospitals, roads, and more. This is your chance to play a part in history and help ensure that everyone in your community is counted!

Job Qualifications

• To be eligible for a 2020 Census job, you must:
• Be at least 18 years old, have a valid Social Security number, be a U.S. citizen and have a valid email address.
• Complete an application and answer assessment questions. (Some assessment questions are available in Spanish. However, an English proficiency test may also be required.)
• Be registered with the Selective Service System or have a qualifying exemption, if you are a male born after Dec. 31, 1959.
• Pass a Census-performed criminal background check and a review of criminal records, including fingerprinting.
• Commit to completing training.
• Be available to work flexible hours, which can include days, evenings, and/or weekends.
• Most jobs require employees to:
• Have access to a vehicle and a valid driver’s license, unless public transportation is readily available.
• Have access to a computer with internet and an email account (to complete training).

Ready to Apply?
If you meet these qualifications, take the next step toward joining the Census team! The application process takes about 30 minutes. You will need to provide your Social Security number, home address, email address, phone number, and date and place of birth. Visit 2020census.gov/jobs to apply.



TRANSPORTATION
 
Bike Safety Improves on UES 

In contrast to the citywide increase in cyclist deaths in 2019, I’m happy to share that there has been a reduction in the number of cyclists hurt and killed in collisions in our district thanks to improvements to bike safety measures. As reported by Upper East Side Patch, Council Member Keith Powers and I have implemented a bike safety program that includes education, additional protected bike lanes and increased enforcement against cyclists who commit traffic violations. While we are proud of the strides that have been made so far, we aim to continue improving the safety with which pedestrians, bikes, and cars share the road. For more information read the release or coverage in Upper East Side Patch.
 


COMMUNITY 
 
State of the District Thank You

Thank you to all the residents who came out to our State of the District 2020 address. This was our 6th year holding the event and this time we were joined by esteemed guests including U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Congress Member Maloney, and last but not least Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer. As Our Town reported, the event was great for the community because everyone not only received an update from me on how issues are going in the district but also received an update on the presidential impeachment process. We ended the event with free coffee and bagels. If you missed it and are curious about what was shared, you can check out a transcript and video of my entire address at Benkallos.com/StateoftheDistrict/2020
 

Apply to Be on Your Community Board
 
Applications to join your local community board (or continue your service) are now available here. The deadline has been extended to Friday, February 14, 2020.
 
Prospective members must submit a biography or resume and complete a comprehensive online application explaining why they want to join the board, what skills they can offer and their relationship to their districts. 
 
Manhattan’s 12 Community Boards are composed of 50 volunteer members serving staggered two-year terms– thus, 25 members are appointed (or reappointed) each year. Community Boards are the independent and representative voices of their communities—the most grass-roots form of local government. The Boards are pivotal in shaping their communities and work to enhance and preserve the character of the city’s many unique neighborhoods.

Each Board has a budget, a district manager and staff to fulfill three distinct responsibilities:

• Monitoring the delivery of city services such as sanitation and street maintenance;
• Planning and reviewing land use applications including zoning changes; and
• Making recommendations for each year’s city budget.

Apply to be on you Community Boars by visiting manhattanbp.nyc.gov/cbapplication/
 

Holocaust Remembrance Week

It has been one year since the City Council passed Resolution 673, which recognized January 27 as International Holocaust Day in our City. Thank you to Council Member Chaim Deutsch who faithfully worked on this resolution with the rest of the Jewish Caucus to make it a reality. Not only does the resolution declare January 27 International Holocaust Day in New York City, but it also declares the entire following week a citywide Holocaust Education Week. In 2019, we saw antisemitism increase violently here in our City and around the country. For that reason, I believe it is incredibly important to continue to educate today's children and the next generations about what occurred during the Holocaust 73 years ago. For more information on Resolution 673, visit BenKallos.com/press-releases or the coverage in the Bklyner.
 

One City, One Vote Rally for Immigrant Justice



















We joined resident and advocates from New York Immigration Coalition to restore voting rights to permanent residents (green card holders) in municipal elections as they had before and should have once again.
 

Sutton Area Community Annual Meeting
Speaking to members of the Sutton Area Community at their annual meeting about our accomplishments together, from rezoning to fight overdevelopment to expanding access to Sutton East Tennis Club. 
 

East 86th St Neighborhood Association Annual Meeting
 
Residents showed up to the East 86th St. Association’s annual meeting in record-breaking numbers as I spoke on a range of pressing community issues, including homeless assistance programs, and citywide sanitation and bike safety. Council Member Keith Powers, officers from the 19th Precinct and I answered questions from those in attendance. For more information about what was discussed, visit the East 86th St. Association’s website at East86th.org.
 

P.S. 77 and P.S. 198M Go Global

At the 8th Annual International Night at P.S. 77 and P.S. 198M, which included live performances and food from around the world, I enjoyed speaking to the wonderful students, parents and faculty about the refurbishments my office was recently able to provide their campus.
 

3 Kings Day Parade
 
At the 43rd annual Three Kings Day Parade at El Museo in El Barrio, we honored New York City’s immigrant and migrant communities of past and present that continue to keep history alive by celebrating the cultural traditions of El Barrio and beyond.

 
Women’s March

I proudly showed my support for gender equality and women’s rights by participating in the NYC Women’s March, running into Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Planned Parenthood and so many more along the way.

 

RESOURCES
 
Military Mondays
 
Since its inception in 2016, Military Mondays has assisted over 350 veterans with their legal needs. As of January 2020, their services have expanded to assist veterans with resume review and interview preparation. Veterans who wish to work with a Skadden Human Resources professional for resume and interview tips should contact Kenny Lee at 212-735-3025 or kenny.lee@skadden.com to schedule an appointment.
 

VOLS Launches Weekly Clinics
 
VOLS' Veterans Initiative launched a weekly walk-in legal clinic at the 23rd Street VA hospital. Low-income senior veterans (age 60+) can stop by every Wednesday to speak with a lawyer about obtaining a will, power of attorney, and other important documents, to discuss landlord-tenant issues, or for other advice and referrals, from 2-4 pm. Check-in: Room 15098 in the Social Work wing (15 South). Visit Volsprobono.org for more information.
 

Families for Safe Streets ‘The Sibling Experience’
 
Friends and family often focus on grieving parents, and for good reason, but the pain from losing a sister, brother (or even a close cousin) is also unimaginable. Have you been injured or lost a loved one in a crash? You are not alone and Families for Safe Streets is here to support you.
 
February 8, 2020
11:30pm – 1pm
Location TBD
 
Accessible, central location to be finalized based on RSVPs.
Appropriate for individuals whose siblings (or other special relatives) were seriously injured or killed in a traffic crash.
 
For more information contact 844-FSS-PEER Advocacy or visit FamiliesForSafeStreets.org
RSVP at transalt.org/FSSRSVP
 

ETHOS Update: Free Naloxone Training and Hope Count 2020 

Free Naloxonoe Training

A free Naloxone training will be held on February 11 from 10 AM – 1 PM at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center (520 East 70^th Street) in the Cayuga Room (at the back of the cafeteria). Members of the public are encouraged to drop in any time within the window to learn how to administer Naloxone and receive a kit with the medication. 

Hope Count 2020


This month I joined City officials from the Department of Homeless Services and federal officials like Secretary of Urban Development Ben Carson for the City's annual HOPE Count. The Homeless Outreach Population Estimate gives the City a snapshot measurement of how many people are sleeping on our streets.

Homelessness has finally dipped below 60,000 with 21,473 children, 16,125 family members, 4,584 single women, and 12,277 single men in our shelters, and more than 3,588 people on the streets. I launched the Eastside Taskforce for Homeless Outreach and Services (ETHOS) with Borough President Brewer, Senator Krueger, Department of Social Services (DSS), community and faith leaders and service organizations. We’ve already been able to help a chronically homeless individual in the community who we believe had long been suffering from mental illness, after a resident was willing to come forward working with me, the 19th Precinct, the District Attorney and DSS to get them the help they needed. We hope to get every unsheltered person 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 a report on whether the person accepts our city’s offer of shelter, three meals a day, health care, rehabilitation, and job training. By connecting our dedicated nonprofits and religious institutions with city services, we hope that ETHOS can really make a difference.



OFFICE UPDATES
 
Free Legal Clinics

Need a lawyer? Every month I sponsor legal clinics where you can get free legal advice in my District Office at 244 East 93rd Street from 3pm – 6pm:

• General Civil Law, 3rd Tuesday
• Life Planning Clinic, 3rd Wednesday
• Family Law and Domestic Violence, 1st Tuesday
• Housing Clinics, Every Monday and 1st Wednesday

Please call my office at 212-860-1950 in advance to schedule your appointment.


Here to Help

We are here to help. My social work team can help you find out what services you are eligible for and assist you in your application. Some examples include:

• Seniors: Medicare savings, Meals-on-Wheels, Access-A-Ride
• Housing: searching for affordable units, free legal housing clinic at my office
• Job Resources: training resources and assistance, unemployment benefits
• Families: Universal Pre-K, Head Start, After-School programs
• Finances: cash assistance, tax credits, home energy assistance
• Nutrition: WIC, free meals for all ages

Please also call us at 212-860-1950 or email us at bkallos@benkallos.com with any unresolved 311 complaints.
 

Mobile District Hours 

We bring our office to you on Roosevelt Island on the 4th Wednesday of each month from 11am to 2pm at 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 annual meeting or tenants association meeting and I will be happy to join you. Over the past year, I have visited several buildings to discuss matters of importance in the neighborhood, including street furniture, road conditions, homeless outreach, sanitation issues and you name it. Please schedule a "Ben in Your Building" today by calling 212-860-1950 or email Scheduler@BenKallos.com.
 
 
Community Boards
 
2/12: Community Board 6 Full Board Meeting
7:00pm, 433 1st Avenue (NYU School of Dentistry), Room 220 
 
2/18: Community Board 11 Full Board Meeting
6:30pm, Terrence Cardinal Cooke Medical Center, 1249 Fifth Avenue
 
2/19: Community Board 8 Full Board
6:30pm, New York Blood Center, Auditorium 310 East 67th Street (first-second) 
 

NYPD Events
 
2/3: 19th Precinct Community Council
7:00pm-8:00pm,19th Precinct Station House, 153 East 67th Street
 
2/25: 17th Precinct Community Council 
6:30pm-7:00pm, Sutton Place Synagogue, 225 E. 51st Street
 
2/26: 23rd Precinct Community Council 
6:00pm-7:00pm, 23rd Precinct Station House, 164 E. 102nd Street


Neighborhood and Tenant Associations
 
First Wednesday, 2/5: Roosevelt Island Residents Association Common Council Meeting
8:00 pm-10:00 pm, Good Shepherd (Downstairs), 543 Main Street
 
Second Wednesday, 2/12: Lexington Houses Tenant Association
6:00pm, 1539 Lexington Avenue
 
Second Tuesday, 2/11: Stanley Isaacs Tenant Associations
7:00 pm, Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center, 415 East 93rd Street
 
Third Tuesday, 2/18: Holmes Towers Tenant Association
7:00 pm, Stanley Isaacs Neighborhood Center, 415 East 93rd Street

 

 

Events
 

Events for Adults
2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22, 2/29: English Conversation Group
11am 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.
 
2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22, 2/29: Computer Tutoring Sessions
11am & 12pm 67th Street Library, Computer Classroom
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! 
 
2/1, 2/15, 2/29: Computer Tutoring Sessions
12pm Webster Library, Auditorium
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 or call to sign up for one of our help sessions and get a personal tutor at your service! We welcome walk-ins as space allows. This program will run every other Saturday. Space is limited.
 
2/1, 2/2, 2/8, 2/9, 2/15, 2/16, 2/22, 2/23, 29: Valentine’s Tour: 19th Century Romance in New York
11am Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden 
Grab someone you cherish and visit us for a special Romance-themed Tour. Held on weekends in February, this special tour explores the surprising myths and mores of 19th-century mating rituals.   Learn the secret language of fans, intimate letter writing, and romantic hideouts for couples in the early part of the new Republic. Free with admission.  Reservations requested.  Saturdays and Sundays, 11am to 4pm.
 
2/1: Computer Tutoring Sessions
2pm Webster Library, Auditorium
Rolf Sturm (guitar) and Tomas Ulrich (cello) play the American Songbook and original compositions inspired by these wonderful composers.
 
2/2: Hand-In-Hand
2pm Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden 
A specially designed program for visitors with memory loss and their care partners.Explore the Museum’s historic rooms and reflect on this month’s theme: 19th-Century Kitchen Chores & Soap-making. Connections between life today and life in the 19th-century are nurtured through conversation and a handicraft workshop. Admission is free but reservations are required by calling 212-838-6878 or emailing info@mvhm.org
 
2/3: Start Your Day with Art: Galentine's Day Cards
11:30am Webster Library, Auditorium
Visit the Webster Library for a relaxing morning of creative expression. We'll be making Galentine's Day cards today- all supplies provided! Join us and take home a piece of art to share with family and friends. First come, first served. No registration required.
 
2/3: Mystery Mondays
4pm 67th Street Library
Join us to discuss In This Grave Hour by Jacqueline Winspear Sunday, September 3rd, 1939. At the moment Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain broadcasts to the nation Britain’s declaration of war with Germany, a senior Secret Service agent breaks into Maisie Dobbs’s flat to await her return. Dr. Francesca Thomas has an urgent assignment for Maisie: to find the killer of a man who escaped occupied Belgium as a boy some twenty-three years earlier during the Great War. Within days, in a London…
 
2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25: Adult Coloring
11am 96th Street Library
When we color, it brings out our inner child. We are reminded of the days when life was simple when we worry less. Coloring is the latest craze where you might expect to see children, you find adults. They have emerse themselves in patterns of mandalsas, curved flowers and runaway stems. This is a world they create and escape to. come join us at the 96th street Library.
 
2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25: Word for Beginners
3pm 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.
 
2/4, 2/11, 2/18: Terrific Tolkien Discussion
4pm Roosevelt Island Library
Calling all elves, hobbits, orcs and dragons! Join us for a 7-part discussion of the epic poems of J.R.R. Tolkien at the library!
 
2/4, 2/18: Webster Writing Circle
6pm Webster Library, Auditorium
Let your stories unfold! Join Webster for an exploration in creativity. This writing circle is informal in style and structure: there is no experience necessary. We’ll spend time writing and talking about what we have written. 
 
2/5: Film: Good Night, and Good Luck (2005)
11:15am Webster Library, Auditorium
When Senator Joseph McCarthy begins his foolhardy campaign to root out Communists in America, CBS News impresario Edward R. Murrow (David Strathairn) dedicates himself to exposing the atrocities being committed by McCarthy's Senate "investigation." Murrow is supported by a news team that includes long-time friend and producer Fred Friendly (George Clooney). The CBS team does its best to point out the senator's lies and excesses, despite pressure from CBS' corporate sponsors to desist. This movie is 93 minutes long.
 
2/5, 2/19: Adult One-on-One Computer Help Workshop
11:30am Yorkville Library, Meeting Room
Work one-on-one with a volunteer tutor. Improve Internet skills, create, and use e-mail, cell phone help, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Power Point). Wednesday 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Pre-registration required in person or by phone at 212.744.5824. Seating is Limited
 
2/6: Film: Born to Kill (1947)
2pm 96th Street Library
A man marries a rich woman, but soon wants her sister instead. This film is 92 minutes long.
 
2/6: Women's Writing Group
4:30pm 67th Street Library
Women's Writing Group First Thursday Every Month, 4:30pm – 6:15pm Hannelore Hahn, who directed the International Women's Writing Guild for 37 years, hosts a monthly informal women’s writing & discussion group. Everyone welcome for discussion too!
 
2/6: Memoirs That Make a Difference: Sissy by Jacob Tobia
6pm Webster Library, Auditorium
"As a young child in North Carolina, Jacob Tobia wasn't the wrong gender, they just had too much of the stuff. Barbies? Yes. Playing with bugs? Absolutely. Getting muddy? Please. Princess dresses? You betcha. Jacob wanted it all, but because they were "a boy," they were told they could only have the masculine half. Acting feminine labelled them "a sissy" and brought social isolation. It took Jacob years to discover that being "a sissy" isn't something to be ashamed of. It's a source of pride. Following Jacob through bullying and beauty contests, from Duke University to the United Nations to the podiums of the Methodist church--not to mention the parlors of the White House--this unforgettable memoir contains multitudes. A deeply personal story of trauma and healing, a powerful reflection on gender and self-acceptance, and a hilarious guidebook for wearing tacky clip-on earrings in today's world, Sissy guarantees you'll never think about gender--both other people's and your own--the same way again.”
 
2/6: Book Discussion: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
6:30pm 96th Street Library
Please join us for our February 6 book discussion. We will be reading  Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood  by Trevor Noah. Copies are available at the 96th Street Library one month before the book discussion. About the book: Trevor Noah’s memoir of growing up in South Africa with a black South African mother and a white European father at a time when it was against the law for a mixed-race child like him to exist.

2/7: The Muslim Volunteers for New York (MV4NY)
3rd annual nationwide “Sweet Dreams” Pajama and Book Drive to benefit underserved babies and children ages 0-16. The children are served by two outstanding programs; “The Pajama Program” and “Room to Grow”.
The Pajama and Book Drive will run from February 7th to February 16th.
The MV4NY pajama and book drive is designed to help at-risk families and young children. Too many kids in our communities experience poverty, abandonment, and hunger. The simple comfort that a pair of new pajamas provides and the escape that a lovely book offers is priceless in a world that seems uncertain and insecure.
 Donations are made easy as you can contribute online using MV4NY’s wish list for this drive at MV4NY Sweet Dreams Drive

 2/10: Around the World Book Discussion: Love in the Time of Cholera
5pm Roosevelt Island Library
Explore the world through the works of international authors. This stop takes us to Columbia, where you can join in on the conversation of the book Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez. Copies of the book will be available to borrow at the circulation desk with your library card.
 
2/10: Reading about Identity Parent Workshop
5:30pm 67th Street Library
Learn about book titles that will help facilitate a conversation about identity with your children. Pre-registration required by phone (212) 734-1717 or in person.
 
2/12: Film: The Ides of March (2011)
11:15am Webster Library, Auditorium
As Ohio's Democratic primary nears, charming Gov. Mike Morris (George Clooney) seems a shoo-in for the nomination over his opponent, Sen. Pullman (Michael Mantell). Morris' idealistic press secretary, Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling), believes in his candidate's integrity and the democratic process. But Meyers' meeting with Pullman's campaign manager (Paul Giamatti) and a dalliance with a young intern (Evan Rachel Wood) set in motion events that threaten Morris' election chances. This movie is 101 minutes long.

2/12: Author Talk: Emmy Favilla- A World Without "Whom": The Essential Guide to Language in the BuzzFeed Age
5:30pm Yorkville Library, Meeting Room
A World Without "Whom" is Eats, Shoots & Leaves for the internet age, and BuzzFeed global copy chief Emmy Favilla is the witty go-to style guru of webspeak. As language evolves faster than ever before, what is the future of "correct" writing? When Favilla was tasked with creating a style guide for BuzzFeed, she opted for spelling, grammar, and punctuation guidelines that would reflect not only the site's lighthearted tone, but also how readers actually use language IRL.
 
2/13: Film: It’s Love I’m After (1937)
2pm 96th Street Library
A famous acting couple doesn’t get along so well behind the scenes. This film is 90 minutes long.
 
2/13, 2/27: Computer Tutoring Sessions
5:30pm 67th Street Library, Computer Classroom
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! 
 
2/14: Volunteers of Legal Service at Carter Burden Center
2:00pm, Carter Burden Center, 415 East 73rd Street (bet. 1st and York Ave)
The Volunteers of Legal Service is dedicated to providing the good will, resources, and talents of New York City's leading law firms to provide pro-bono legal assistance to low-income New Yorkers. All clinics are conducted on a walk in basis and seniors are seen first come first serve. If a senior cannot make it to the clinics, please call 347-521-5704 or email pkempner@volsprobono.org to arrange for an individual referral. 
 
2/18: Building an Operational Plan
1pm Yorkville Library, Meeting Room
Many businesses fail not because of a bad business idea, but because there was no system that standardized, measured, and improved its operations. The goal of this course is to help you translate your business concept into an efficient operation that continuously improves and raises your bottom line. For more information visit Yorkville Library’s website.
 
2/19: Film: O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
11:15am Webster Library, Auditorium
Ulysses Everett McGill (George Clooney) is having difficulty adjusting to his hard-labor sentence in Mississippi. He scams his way off the chain gang with simple Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson) and maladjusted Pete (John Turturro), then the trio sets out to pursue freedom and the promise of a fortune in buried treasure. With nothing to lose and still in shackles, their hasty run takes them on an incredible journey of awesome experiences and colorful characters. This movie is 106 minutes long.
 
2/19: RI Senior Center Book Discussion: Inheritance by Dani Shapiro
4pm Roosevelt Island Library, Carter Burden Senior Center
Join your peers for a discussion of "Inheritance: A Memoir of Geneology, Paternity, and Love" by Dani Shapiro! From the acclaimed, best-selling memoirist, novelist and host of the hit podcast Family Secrets, comes a memoir about the staggering family secret uncovered by a genealogy test: an exploration of the urgent ethical questions surrounding fertility treatments and DNA testing, and a profound inquiry of paternity, identity, and love.
 
2/20: Film: Dance, Girl, Dance (1940)
2pm 96th Street Library
Bubbles loves to dance, but she also likes to eat. Her friend Judy may choose to suffer for her art, but not Bubbles. She swaps her ballet shoes for the burlesque hall. This film is 90 minutes long.
 
2/20: Film: Good News (1947)
2pm 96th Street Library
The gone-but-not-forgotten college days of the 20's are brought alive again in this adaptation of the Broadway musical hit. This film is 93 minutes long.
 
2/21: Volunteers of Legal Service at Stanley Isaacs Senior Center
10am Stanley Isaacs Senior Center, 415 E 93rd Street (east of 1st Ave)
The Volunteers of Legal Service is dedicated to providing the good will, resources, and talents of New York City's leading law firms to provide pro bono legal assistance to low-income New Yorkers. All clinics are conducted on a walk in basis and seniors are seen first come first serve. If a senior cannot make it to the clinics, please call 347-521-5704 or email pkempner@volsprobono.org to arrange for an individual referral. 
 
2/22:Music: Mozart's LA CLEMENZA DI TITO recital by New York Opera Forum
1pm 96th Street Library
New York Opera Forum performs the complete opera of LA CLEMENZA DI TITO by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. 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.
 
2/22: Film: Downton Abbey (2019)
2pm Webster Library, Auditorium
The beloved Crawleys and their intrepid staff prepare for the most important moment of their lives. A royal visit from the king and queen of England soon unleashes scandal, romance and intrigue -- leaving the future of Downton hanging in the balance. This movie is 122 minutes long.
 
2/26: Film: Up in the Air (2009)
11:15am Webster Library, Auditorium
An idea from a young, new co-worker (Anna Kendrick) would put an end to the constant travel of corporate downsizer Ryan Bingham (George Clooney), so he takes her on a tour to demonstrate the importance of face-to-face meetings with those they must fire. While mentoring his colleague, he arranges hookups with another frequent-flier (Vera Farmiga), and his developing feelings for the woman prompt him to see others in a new light. This movie is 109 minutes long.
 
2/26: Author Talk: Adam Chandler- Drive-Thru Dreams: A Journey Through the Heart of America's Fast-Food Kingdom
5:30pm Yorkville Library, Meeting Room
Most any honest person can own up to harboring at least one fast-food guilty pleasure. In Drive-Thru Dreams, Adam Chandler explores the inseparable link between fast food and American life for the past century. The dark underbelly of the industry’s largest players has long been scrutinized and gutted, characterized as impersonal, greedy, corporate, and worse. But, in unexpected ways, fast food is also deeply personal and emblematic of a larger than life image of America.
 
2/27: Medicare for 2020
1pm Yorkville Library, Meeting Room
Come for the latest information on Medicare Part A and Part B, Medigap/Medicare Supplement insurance, Medicare Advantage/Medicare Health Plans, Medicare Part D and programs that help with Medicare costs including the Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help/LIS and EPIC. Get your Medicare questions answered by experts in Medicare and related insurance from the Health Insurance Information, Counseling, & Assistance Program (HIICAP) of the NYC Department for the Aging.

Events for Kids
 
2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22, 2/29: Read to our New York Therapy Dog!
10:30am Webster Library
Come read to our therapy dog Tugboat! These licensed therapy dogs and their owners can't wait for you to come read them a story. Enjoy one-on-one, no-pressure reading time with a furry friend! Pre-registration is required for each 15-minute slot and opens 1 week in advance. For ages 5 and up. 
 
2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22, 2/29: Kids’ Coloring Club
10am Yorkville Library, Childrens Room
Join us every Saturday morning from 10am-12pm for our Kids' Coloring Club -- children of all ages are invited to color coloring sheets featuring their favorite characters, seasonal designs, and more. Feel free to bring your favorite coloring book!
 
2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22, 2/29: Read to Fritz, our New York Therapy Dog!
11am Yorkville Library, Childrens Room
Come read to our therapy dog Fritz! These licensed therapy dogs and their owners can't wait for you to come read them a story. Enjoy one-on-one, no-pressure reading time with a furry friend! Pre-registration is required for each 15-minute slot and opens 1 week in advance. For ages 5 and up. 
 
2/1: Tween Time: Make Your Own Sticker
3pm Webster Library
Tweens join us every first Saturday of the month. For an activity. Bring or create any image about 2-2.5 inches to make your own sticker. ages 8 and up
 
2/1: Lunar New Year
11am – 6pm, Met Museum 1000 5th Ave
May art bring you good fortune! Mark the Year of the Rat, one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, with performances, interactive gallery activities, and artist-led workshops. For all ages.
 
2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24: Toddler Storytime
11:30am Yorkville Library, Meeting Room
Toddlers from 18-36 months old (Walkers) and their parents/caregivers can enjoy great books, lively songs, and rhymes, and meet other toddlers in the neighborhood. Programs are first come, first served, space is limited Please note: There is no elevator available, and stroller parking is limited.
 
2/3: Spring Festival & Chinese Zodiac Paper Cutting
4:30pm Roosevelt Island Library
The Chinese Zodiac assigns an animal and it's reputed attributes to each year. In this workshop, we will introduce the Chinese Zodiac to teens to help them understand more about their specific animal and what is the best strategy for year 2020- the year of the rat. We will also cut and design red paper rat cutouts for good luck. For 13-18 years old. Presented by Wall Street Chinese.
 
2/3: Let It Snow: Storytime and Activity
4pm Webster Library
Avoid the cold and join us for some snow stories, snow making, and a snowball fight!
 
2/4, 2/7, 2/11, 2/14, 2/18, 2/21, 2/25, 2/28: Baby Storytime
10:30am Yorkville Library, Meeting Room
Babies from birth to 18 months old (Pre-Walkers) and their parents/caregivers can enjoy great books, lively songs, and rhymes, and meet other babies in the neighborhood. *Program will be ticketed to 30 children and their caregivers. *Tickets will be distributed at the door 15 minutes prior to the start of the program Please note: There is no elevator available, and stroller parking is limited.
 
2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25: Teen Space
3pm Webster Library
Come hang out with your friends on Tuesday afternoons! Play board games, work on homework, read a book, exercise your creativity, or just chill. Laptops, assorted art supplies, and light snacks available. For ages 12-18.
 
2/5: Engaged Roosevelt Island:  Eco-Ambassadors Meet Up, Take Action Survey Results for Sustainable Planning
6:30pm - 7:30pm Good Shepherd Chapel, 543 Main Street, Roosevelt Island - FREE
Special Guest from the Department of Sanitation's Outreach, Sem Sepulveda, conveys the latest tips to keep waste out of landfills.
Join us for updates on the survey and to finalize our Eco-Ambassadors plan. Let's design the neighborhood we want, one that's healthy for us and earth. 
Share your ideas for next step solutions to issues important to you.
An Opportunity Grant from Cornell University's Office of Engagement Initiatives funded this community-engaged workshop to promote environmental understanding and boost sustainable practices on Roosevelt Island.  RSVP on Eventbrite or email: Jane.Swanson@cornell.edu or call 646-220-1505 This is a zero waste event.
 
2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26: Hora de Cuentos (Spanish Storytime)
11am 67th Street Library, Community Room
¡A leer y a cantar en español! Para todas las edades.
 
2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26: Early Readers Storytime
4pm 67th Street Library, Community Room
This program aims to continue the practice of storytime for older children. Each week, participants will discuss a book within the framework of an opening question. At the conclusion of storytime, there will be a craft or related reading activity. For ages 5-7. Parents and caregivers welcome.
 
2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26: Game On! @ Webster
4pm Webster Library
Come in and test your gaming skills against your peers, with games such as Super Smash Brothers and Mario Kart for Wii. Feel like trying something new try playing on our PS4 with games such as Street Fighter 5 and TMNT, just to name a few. Also laptops will be available for anybody that's just wants to sit down and relax.
 
2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27: Family Storytime
11am, 11:30am, & 11:45am 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.
 
2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27: Free Play
11:15am Webster Library
Join us on Thursday mornings for a fun chance to socialize with other kids from the community! Toys are provided. Please note: This program is for both caregiver and child. It is not a structured program. *Take care to supervise children at all times.
 
2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27: Pre-School Storytime
4pm Yorkville Library, Children’s Room
Come meet your friends at the library and listen to some of your favorite picture books. It's a great way to end a busy day. Ages 3 and older.
 
2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28: Learn to Play Chess
3pm Webster Library
Are you a chess champion? You want to show off your best moves against other chess fans? Whether you're a chess master or just starting out, come join us for some board time Fridays at 3 p.m. Learn how to play, practice your skills, or to play a game. All materials will be provided, and an experienced instructor Timothy Mobley will lead the group
 
2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28: Puzzle Fun for Kids
3pm Yorkville Library, Children’s Room
Come to the library for some puzzles and fun! This program is great for all ages.
 
2/10, 2/24: Art Buffet
4pm Webster Library
Let your imagination run wild! Join us for an hour of uninterrupted, creative fun. Pick and choose from our craft supplies to make a masterpiece to take home.
 
2/10: Read to Murphy, our New York Therapy Dog!
4pm Yorkville Library, Childrens Room
Come read to our therapy dog Murphy! 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. 
 
2/11: My Own Kaiju
4pm 96th Street Library
In this workshop, we'll be learning how to make your very own paper plush toy making project! For 13-18 years old. Presented by DJ SpazeCraft.
 
2/11: Wildlife at the Library
4pm Webster Library
Animals in the library? Join Andrew Simmons and his traveling zoo as he introduces you to a golden eagle, barn owl, Burmese and ball pythons, black throat monitor, alligator, and opossums. Learn about the fierce competitors in the wild! For 13-18 years old. Presented by Andrew Simmons.
 
2/11: Poof! Life in a Vacuum
4pm Yorkville Library
Where does space begin? How far away is the Moon? Where did the space shuttles go? These questions and more are answered as students discover the USS Intrepid’s role in the Space Race. Using a bell jar and vacuum pump, Museum educators will mimic the vacuum of space! Your students will first predict, then discover what happens to various objects when they are exposed to a vacuum and then make the connection to how the human body would react to the vacuum of space.
 
2/12:  Engaged Roosevelt Island: Nature Meet Up for Environmental Understanding
6:30pm – 8pm Good Shepherd Chapel, 543 Main Street, Roosevelt Island
Join us to acknowledge, discover and learn more about nature and green spaces on Roosevelt Island.
Come continue the Engaged RI conversation to promote environmental understanding.
An Opportunity Grant from Cornell University's Office of Engagement Initiatives funded this community-engaged workshop to promote environmental understanding and boost sustainable practices on Roosevelt Island. RSVP on Eventbrite or email: Jane.Swanson@cornell.edu or call 646-220-1505. This is a zero waste event.
 
2/12:Washington’s Birthday Ball: Kick Up Your Heels!
Mount Vernon Hotel & Museum
In honor of Presidents’ Day, celebrate the birthday of our Nation’s First President as New Yorkers did in the 19th century. Costumed dancers will perform and teach traditional country dances and encourage everyone to join in.  Festivities include toasts to George Washington and historic refreshments, including Washington Cake and Cherry Bounce. 
 
2/13: STEM: Learning About Architecture 
2pm Yorkville Library, Meeting Room
Join us for Preschool STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math! Joins us as we venture off into the fun exciting world of architecture!
 
2/13: Film: Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019)
4pm Webster Library, Auditorium
Max the terrier encounters canine-intolerant cows, hostile foxes and a scary turkey when he visits the countryside. Luckily for Max, he soon catches a break when he meets Rooster, a gruff farm dog who tries to cure the lovable pooch of his neuroses. This movie is 86 minutes long.
 
2/14: Valentine's Day Craft Time
3pm Yorkville Library, Meeting Room
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.
 
2/18, 2/19, 2/20, 2/22 Winter Break: STEM
1pm Webster Library
Spend your winter break creating STEM projects. Tuesday: 2/18- Create a marshmallow catapult Wednesday: 2/19- Balloon Powered Car Thursday: 2/20- Pompom drop challenge Saturday: 2/22- Balloon Rocket Ages 5 and up Supplies are limited, first come first served.
 
2/18: Winter Break History Days and Week – Children 8 to 12
9am, Mount Vernon Hotel & Museum
Music, cooking and exploration of the solar system!  See the world and the universe beyond.  Each day is a new adventure into the past: take a look  through the eyes of a very interesting New Yorker of the 19th-century. $60 per day, or $200 for all four days. Members receive 10% discount on registration.
 
2/21: Storytime and Crafts
9am, Mount Vernon Hotel & Museum
Don’t forget to bring the little ones to Storytime to hear all about our Presidents!  Listen to funny stories about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and then make a presidential finger puppet. Designed for children under 6.
 
2/24: Kid Flicks
4pm Yorkville Library, Meeting Room
Join us in our community room for our children's film showing. Watch short films based on popular picture books. The perfect way to meet up with friends and end a busy day. All films subject to last minute substitutions. Showing: Happy Birthday Moon & The Cat in the Hat
 
2/25: Early Literacy Workshop: Learn and Play Activity Hour
2pm Yorkville Library, Meeting Room
Joins us for this fun, interactive, and educative workstation themed early literacy workshop.