Petition to Turn Off the Lights on the Schrager Building on Chrystie Street

From the Lo-Down:

“Ahead of its opening later in the spring, Ian Schrager’s Public Hotel is already annoying some of the neighbors. In the past week or so, a giant illuminated sign appeared on the top floors of the 28-story tower at 215 Chrystie St. It’s visible throughout the Lower East Side.”

There is a petition on line to ask that the lights be turned off.

 

Read MorePetition to Turn Off the Lights on the Schrager Building on Chrystie Street
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Voice opposition to a health care proposal that would hurt all New Yorkers

This Health Care Plan would further undo the little money there is for nursing homes and home care.

“The state gets only 91 cents in federal funding for every dollar it sends to Washington — one of just 11 states that give more than they get, state Controller Thomas DiNapoli”

Call 1-202-224-3121. Just provide your zip code to be connected to your rep. (might need full zip code)

From: New York’s Medicaid Director re: current proposed gutting of ACA health care plan.

“This bill would take health care away from 2.7 million New Yorkers, and cost state taxpayers $6.9 billion in additional costs. …affects all New Yorkers and will be the biggest blow to health care in our state’s history. Worse still… an amendment [was proposed] that hurts New Yorkers even more and is against the interest of …all New Yorkers.

If New Yorkers join together and make our voices heard we can still defeat this attack on our health care system. The House of Representatives plans to vote on this devastating legislation tomorrow — so we need New Yorkers like you to speak out now.

Call (202) 224-3121 to be connected to your representative and say vote NO on the bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. You can also look up your representative and find out more information on how to contact them up here.

The more we learn about repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, the sicker New York gets. …New Yorkers face dire circumstances if this bill passes…:

  • 2.7 million New Yorkers will lose coverage
  • New York’s total loss in funding would amount to $6.9 billion
  • Nursing Home Payments would be cut by $401 million
  • Home care payments would be cut by $360 million
  • Hospital payments would be cut by $355 million

….

Will you call your member of Congress now and tell them to vote NO on the bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act? Call (202) 224-3121 to be connected to your representative now.

Thank you for pushing back against this dangerous piece of legislation.”

Sincerely,

Jason Helgerson, New York State Medicaid Director

Read MoreVoice opposition to a health care proposal that would hurt all New Yorkers
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GreenThumb’s Wheelchair Accessible Raised Bed Workshop In M’Finda Kalunga Community Garden

The Wheelchair-Accessible Table-Top raised bed workshop today, Tuesday, March 21st 

GreenThumb: “Gardens should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age or mobility”

(GreenThumb Handouts below)

Thank you GreenThumb!

The Wheelchair-Accessible Table-Top raised bed workshop happened today, Tuesday, March 21st .

GreenThumb and Park’s Staff: Anthony Reuter (Outreach Coordinator GreenThumb), Mara Gittleman (Special Programs Coordinator, GreenThumb), Victor Polanco (GreenThumb Outreach Manager), Chris Noel (Accessibility Coordinator for NYC Parks) and Eric Thomann (the ‘builder’ -who will also be running a workshop called: “Toys from Twigs” at the GreenThumb Grow Together Conference this weekend) were on hand to instruct and help out.

 M’Finda Kalunga Gardeners Bob (Head Gardener), Debra (Co-Chair), Jenifer (Children’s Programming) and Carol (the worker) and K (pretend gardener) also were on hand.

It was heartenning to see all the participants from around NYC! And we all left with birdhouses for our feathered friends.

Read MoreGreenThumb’s Wheelchair Accessible Raised Bed Workshop In M’Finda Kalunga Community Garden
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GreenThumb GrowTogether Conference 2017

33rd Annual GreenThumb GrowTogether Conference

“Sustaining Garden Legacies”

March 25, 2017
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Hostos Community College
450 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10451

Come celebrate the official kick-off of the community gardening season in New York City. The day will be packed with 30+ workshops on garden related topics including: food systems education, kids’ activities, vegetable growing techniques, and designing your community garden for the present and future. The conference will also include a panel discussion on ways to sustain your garden legacy. This year’s keynote speaker is Tony Hillery and is the Founder and Executive Director of Harlem Grown. Tony founded Harlem Grown to address the health and academic challenges facing public elementary school students in Harlem. Our youth speaker is Kadiatou Ba and has been a youth participant at Harlem Grown since its inception 5 years ago. Read more about our keynote speakers here.  NYC Parks Bronx Recreation will have many activities for kids including; indoor bowling, hula hoop contest, basketball, arts and crafts, table games and raffle prizes!

$5 for adults Kids 12 and under free

Pre-registration Online: HERE

Please register online by Thursday, March 23, 2017

By Mail:

The Arsenal/GreenThumb 830 5th Avenue New York, NY 10065.

Postmark by Friday, March 10, 2017

In person at the GreenThumb’s Office:

100 Gold Street Suite 3100 New York, NY 10038

Delivered by Thursday, March 23, 2017

Day of registration: 9:00a.m.-10:00a.m.

$7 for adults on the day of the conference, kids 12 and under free

*GreenThumb cannot guarantee lunch or a t-shirt to walk-in participants.

Bus Service

For those gardeners from Brooklyn who would prefer to take a bus, GreenThumb has scheduled bus pickup in two locations in Brooklyn. Departure is at 8:00 a.m. sharp! To reserve your spot on the bus, check off which site you will depart from. This does not confirm your spot on the bus. You will receive an email or call for confirmation.

Please note: there are a limited number of seats available. Once the bus is full we will not be offering any additional seating. The two pick up locations are below.

Boys and Girls High School, 1700 Fulton Street, between Utica Avenue and Schenectady Avenue

Thomas Jefferson High School, 400 Pennsylvania Avenue, between Dumont and Blake Avenues                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Yoga sessions will be held in the gym at the following times, courtesy of Shape Up NYC, which offers 300 free fitness classes weekly at more than 150 locations across the five boroughs.

12:00pm – 12:45pm: Vanessa Tirado (Aerobic Easy Workout)

1:00pm – 1:45pm: Suraiya Jahan (Stretch)

2:00pm – 2:45pm: Esmeralda Alba (IntenSati)

Interested in becoming a sponsor at GrowTogether or sending any in-kind donations contact Twywana Bush at twywana.bush@parks.nyc.gov

Follow us: #GrowTogetherConference2017 #growtogether

For more information please call 212-602-5300

Downloads:

Download 2017 GrowTogether Conference Guide 

Download GrowTogether 17 Registration Form

Read MoreGreenThumb GrowTogether Conference 2017
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From University Settlement’s Chief Executive Officer on the proposed ‘American Health Care Act’

 

“After the inauguration, I promised to keep you updated on how changes in federal policy will impact our participants. Last week, a bombshell dropped when Congress released its draft of the American Health Care Act (AHCA). Also, the administration released its draft budget. Taken together, these two developments in their present forms would have devastating consequences for our clients.

After reviewing the changes outlined in the proposed AHCA, we are strongly opposed to the current draft and certain direction. The 40,000 New Yorkers we work with every year live on the edge of economic instability, and we know they are not alone. When something unexpected happens – even a small health problem, for example – it can have a disastrous impact.

The AHCA in its current form will reduce health care access, leaving our neighbors less healthy and less able to overcome institutionalized barriers to success.  

The consequences of the Act are clear – there will be increased health inequities, increased personal costs, and a regressive effect on the entire health system. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that within a decade, 24 million Americans will lose essential health care coverage – 14 million of them in the first year. Mayor de Blasio, Governor Cuomo, AARP, and the American Medical Association have estimated that:  

  • At least 200,000 low-income people who use New York City’s public hospitals will lose insurance, putting additional strain on that system.
  • 2 million residents of New York State would lose coverage, potentially costing state taxpayers close to $4 billion.
  • Millions of adults and children with disabilities, adults aged 50-64, and seniors who depend on Medicaid would be at risk of losing coverage.
  • Adolescents and young adults will be at greater risk for STIs, HIV, and unintended pregnancies due to associated federal budget cuts to family planning and reproductive care.  

The administration’s draft budget also places the greatest burden on those with the least resources. The list of lifeline programs to be cut or eliminated is extensive. Among them: Meals on Wheels for homebound seniors; community block grants that pay for homelessness prevention, poverty reduction, and legal services; nutrition assistance for the poorest women, children and infants; and federal funds for public housing. The list of our concerns is too long to cite. And though there will be changes before the budget is finalized, the thrust is unmistakable. Even a fraction of these reductions will have severe consequences for the most vulnerable in the short term, with potentially far-reaching impacts for a lifetime. 

We will continue to follow these new threats closely. And we are prepared to respond, just as we already have following the executive orders on immigration. Since their issuance, we have seen a rise in fear and anxiety from our immigrant clients. We have stepped up efforts to provide legal guidance by holding eight “Know Your Rights” sessions in 3 languages, testifying at City Council hearings, making presentations to national and local youth organizations, and reaffirming that we are a welcoming, safe space. 

Our shared responsibility is to protect the children, families, seniors, and men and women of all ages who have the least, and to help them access every opportunity to thrive and live with dignity. This is an enterprise that we share with you. Our neighbors will need our unswerving emotional and financial support in the months ahead. We are deeply grateful for your partnership. We know that when we work together as a community, our strength knows no bounds.”

  Yours in partnership,

  Eric Weingartner

  Chief Executive Officer
University Settlement, The Door, and Broome Street Academy

Read MoreFrom University Settlement’s Chief Executive Officer on the proposed ‘American Health Care Act’
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