K’s unedited article originally posted in The Villager as a letter to the editor

Of Parks, Inequity and the Flinging of Coins…

http://bowerygals.blogspot.com/2013/12/of-parks-inequity-and-flinging-of-coins.html

At the “Talking Transitions Tent” New Yorkers for Parks hosted a panel entitled “Four Immediate Ways to Equitably Improve NYC’s Parks”. The panel consisted of committed and hard-working park advocates.

One of the panelists, State Senator Squadron, proposed that “marquee parks” (such as Central Park) share a percentage of funds raised in the private sector with parks that do not have private financial backers. He reminded us that all city parks exist within the same network. That any individual park’s situation affects all parks. It was an impassioned and intelligent plea.

Squadron’s proposal was hammered. The audience was warned of the chilling effect on marquee park supporters, of government interfering with the “democratic tradition” of philanthropy, of distracting from the real issues, and, that city parks were not in such bad shape anyway.

It was disheartening.

Here we were sitting in an enormous “tent” constructed by the wealth of billionaires, hoping to influence the next mayor. There was no time allotted for the audience to speak. We were in the county of Manhattan, home of the largest undisputed income inequality gap in this nation. Joseph McKellar, a panelist who represented Flushing Meadows Corona Park pointed out that there is a correlation between the racial and economic make-up surrounding a park and the conditions of that park. Too true.

Our parks can’t help but reflect this reality. And in a city of such opulence, that simply is not okay.

The Community Garden network has been involved in the care of Greenspaces for decades. This movement came out of poor neighborhoods and largely out of communities of color – with plenty of skill and agency. I doubt any Conservancy in New York City has much to teach us. But maybe we have something to offer them?

Community Gardeners know how to share. We are all volunteers who freely give plants, labor, resources and expertise. Our budgets are usually under $3,000. We get small grants and member fees – we do a lot with a little. We don’t feel a chill when asked to help struggling neighbors. We consider it an honor to be asked.

But neighborhood parks need large amounts of funding to fix broken equipment and to retool park buildings to serve as sites for resiliency centers, youth spaces, meeting and information hubs. Providing support to help make that happen- even one park at a time -would give hope to parks who would otherwise have none. Training by experienced gardeners (from Community Gardens, Parks, Conservancies, etc.) could support gardening stewardship by local neighbors in every park. It would beautify the city and give communities skills to learn how to truly care for and “own” their parks. Every neighborhood deserves their own “jewel” park.

Personally, I don’t believe the public good should have to depend on the largesse of the wealthy for meeting the basic needs of a city. And I don’t think a democracy can long survive relying on the whims of the rich. That’s why we have a tax system, so that government, including the Parks Department, would have the resources to take care of all parks.

Dr. King said, “True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring.”

Thank you to Senator Squadron for raising the issue in a way that won’t be ignored. And, as Mr. McKellar said, “Any vehicle that creates more equity is a poignant conversation”.

K Webster

Read MoreK’s unedited article originally posted in The Villager as a letter to the editor

Attention Downtown Artists!

UNSURE ABOUT OBAMACARE? HOW TO APPLY?
Community Board 3, HOWL! H.E.L.P*, Bowery Poetry Club, Fourth Arts Block, GOH Productions, Jackie Factory, La MaMa, Performance Space 122, Poetry Project, TWEED TheaterWorks, Vangeline Theater

Invite You To A
FREE
Actors Fund Workshop

UNDERSTANDING OBAMACARE & THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
Find out if you’re eligible for free or low-cost insurance

Saturday, December 21, 2013
1-3 PM
Saint Marks Church – Parish Hall

Navigating Health Care Reform is a free workshop to help members of the creative community understand the Affordable Care Act and provide clear guidance by a certified Affordable Care Act Navigator on options that work for you.
If you sign up by December 23, your coverage will start January 1

*About HOWL! Emergency Life Project (H.E.L.P.) 

A Safety Net for Artists

Howl! H.E.L.P. was created to provide emergency financial assistance and social service support to artists who have participated in the annual HOWL! Festival or who have made or continue to make their careers in New York City’s East Village and Lower East Side arts community and whose work challenges the traditional boundaries of dance, theatre, music, multimedia and the spoken word.

Services include counseling and referrals for personal, family or work-related problems. Linkage to community resources for such needs as medical care, legal services, public benefits or elder care. Workshops are offered on a variety of topics and include: finding affordable housing, financial education as well as health insurance options. Financial assistance is available for rent, utilities, mental health and medical care as well as other basic living expenses. Grants are approved on a case-by-case basis based on need.

Susan Stetzer
District Manager
Community Board 3, Manhattan
212-533-6015

www.cb3manhattan.org
Please visit the CB 3 website to join the new e-mail list.

Read MoreAttention Downtown Artists!
  • Post category:News

Bicycle Mechanics Training Program

bikeProgramDear LES and Workforce Stakeholders,

The LES Employment Network is very excited to announce that Henry Street Settlement and Recycle-A-Bicycle, with additional support from LESEN, have partnered to launch a Bicycle Mechanics Training Program. You may download the large-file attachment or click this link to view the marketing flyer for more information.

The program will cover the important fundamentals of bicycle mechanics necessary to secure a job in the exciting, growing bicycle transportation, rental, and retail markets. It will place a high proportion of graduates into liveable-wage employment upon completion as mechanics, customer service and support staff, and logistics crew. It is open to public and Network member participants, however, public candidates must register with one of LESEN’s 5 agencies in order to participate (LESEN resource sheet also attached for more information). The upcoming December 5, 2013, orientation is mandatory for all participants.

Although we are especially trying to target local Manhattan Community Board 3 residents and/or 18-24 year-old youth candidates for this, it is open to people from all communities and backgrounds who are interested in bicycle employment, are good with their hands, and do not have obstacles to completion (i.e. schedule, travel plans). The program will provide a modest stipend to cover transportation costs and students can intern at bicycle companies for an additional stipend.

We kindly ask that you market this opportunity through your existing networks and residential buildings, and share any questions or comments that you may have. We hope that you can assist us in recruiting for this crucial opportunity. Thank you in advance!

Sincerely,

Gaspar Caro
LES Employment Network
Houston Street Center
273 Bowery
New York, NY 10002
gcaro@lesemploymentnetwork.org
646.465.5320
646.455.9932 (cell)

LESEN Resource Sheet

Read MoreBicycle Mechanics Training Program
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Important breaking news and events

A 25 story building coming to Chrystie Street….
http://www.boweryboogie.com/2013/12/sperone-westwater-gallery-fails-block-ian-schragers-25-story-hotel-chrystie-street/
http://www.scribd.com/doc/188424530/215-Chrystie-Ruling
215-chrystie-lot

Talking Transitions event. New Yorkers for Parks hosted an informative discussion on what to do about income inequity in Parks.
http://new.livestream.com/talkingtransition/NYC

Squadron’s Park plan. This is an article the New Yorker that talks about the Transitions Tent event (above). Squadron proposes to address the inequality in Parks by asking the richer Conservancies to give some % of their funding to a parks fund.
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2013/11/a-radical-proposal-for-parks-worries-philanthropists.html

NY Rising is Governor Coumo’s NY State planning process in the wake of Sandy. Give your input on what you think needs to happen here!
http://nyrisingmap.org/
The idea is that all of these “planning process” (Rebuild by Design – Federally funded) will at some point dovetail so there isn’t duplication….

Read MoreImportant breaking news and events
  • Post category:News

The HOW of Affordable Housing: Information for Lower-East-Siders, Artists, and the Creative Community

Screen Shot 2013-12-04 at 11.17.07 AM

How do you find affordable housing in New York City?
How do you know if you’re eligible?
How can you best prepare yourself to apply?
…And what does “affordable housing” mean anyway?

This two-hour seminar will address rent stabilization and privately-owned, government subsidized housing city-wide, with a focus on artist housing and the Lower East Side/East Village. Please note that emergency or immediate-term options will not be covered.

Thursday 12/12 from 6-8PM
At La MaMa Studios
47 Great Jones St. between Bowery and Lafayette

Presented by
The Actors Fund, Cooper Square Committee, Fourth Arts Block, and La MaMa E.T.C.

RSVP Required!
Please email rsvp@fabnyc.org to let us know you are coming.

For all other questions, contact Rebecca Saur at 212-221-7300, ext. 126 or rsaur@actorsfund.org

See map: Google Maps
Read MoreThe HOW of Affordable Housing: Information for Lower-East-Siders, Artists, and the Creative Community
  • Post category:News