News

Paint the City!

11:59 pm, Sunday March 13….That’s the deadline for budding New York street artists to submit their qualifications for adorning City surfaces with their own artwork. “Canvases” could include NYC sidewalks, fences, triangles, medians, bridges, jersey barriers, step streets, pedestrian plazas, and more. Submission info here

Is Your Block the Coolest?

7-8:30pm Thu Feb 27 at Sixth Street Community Center, 638 East 6th Street…Town Hall Kick-Off to find THE COOLEST BLOCK IN THE LOWER EAST SIDE! Join experts from the LES Ecology Center to chat about its upcoming community street-tree stewardship contest and find out why greener streets are not only essential, but also rewarding—and discover how to turn your own block into the coolest block of all! Admission is free, and residents, community groups, block associations, schools, and local organizations all are invited to compete. More info here!

Black History on the LES

6:30-8pm Thu Feb 27 at FABnyc, 70 East 4th St, 1st floor….It’s Black History Month! Come and learn more about Black history on the LES—and specifically the topic of “Resisting Cultural Erasure”—from Black artists and historians Immanuel Oni (pictured), Debra Jeffreys-Glass, and Catherine Mbali Green-Johnson. Info here!

Venezuelan Adventure

6pm Feb 21, then 2pm Feb 22 at the Loisaida Center, 710 East 9th St—learn and enjoy more about Venezuelan “Joropos.” The word means “dance” but is used to describe the South American country’s far broader, richer traditional culture of dance, music, and more. The colorful “Pipiris Nights Fest” includes Venezuelan books and movies, too! Register here

Learn Event and Theater Production—for Free!

9am-6pm Tue Feb 25 at Performance Space New York, 150 First Avenue, 4th Floor….Alternative Education is running a free, day-long “Black Tech Camp” to teach basic technical skills in event and theater production to young Black adults. Not only is there no charge—no prior experience is necessary either! Info here: https://performancespacenewyork.org/shows/alternative-education/

Bring Us Your Warmth!

With the cold weather still upon us, the Center for Wellbeing and Happiness aims to collect at least 100 scarves, gloves, and hats to donate to new neighbors. Drop off at 101 Avenue D at the following times: 9:30-2:30 Tue; 12-7 Wed; 12-8 Thu; 10:30-3:30 Sat.

Donate Your Extra Legos™

The District One Community Education Council is collecting gently used, cleaned Lego™ bricks to package and pass on to others. Drop off between 9 am and 6 pm, Monday thru Friday, at PS 20 Anna Silver School, 166 Essex St. Let others build, open up some floorspace—and save your poor feet!

Calling All Dads and Daughters!

Feb. 14, 4-6 pm, Loisaida Center, 710 E 9th St.: The 1st Annual Daddy-Daughter Day! Sponsored by Loisaida Inc., the New Leaders Council, and the Center for Wellbeing, this Valentine’s Day gathering will allow daughters to participate in various programs while their fathers connect with agencies and services that help New Yorkers thrive, and also draw advice and support from local fathers. Come enjoy this family event that features food, giveaways, arts & crafts, entertainment, and more! Details here!

GrowNYC Is Hiring

GrowNYC, perhaps best known for operating Greenmarket farmers markets but which also supports community and school gardens and connects more than 70,000 children with their natural environment, has several open positions. If you’re a motivated individual who is passionate about building a stronger, greener, and more sustainable New York, apply here!