PS 48M hosts school fundraiser

PS 48M hosts school fundraiser
This coming Sat., June 2nd, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., the Parents’ Association of PS 48 will host a flea market/fundraiser with vendors.
Funds raised will be used for various school activities.
Vendor spots are still available for those interested.
For more information, please call 917.521.3800 x 1122 or the Parents’ Assoication President Grettel Marin at 917.531.8798.
The 10th Annual “Drums Along the Hudson” Festival returns

Drummers and dancers from around the world, pow wow performances, an environmental tent, storytelling, and native arts and crafts will all be presented as part of the 10th Annual “Drums Along the Hudson” Festival this coming Sun., May 20th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Inwood Hill Park.
This year, the festival’s organizers will honor LaDonna Harris, Preisdent of Americans for Indian Opportunity, and Jane Schachat, former Northern Manhattan Parks Department Administrator.
This years performers include The Thunderbird American Indian Dancers, dancers from the New York Chinese Cultural Center, Jacques d’Amboise’s National Dance Institute (performing work that draws on West African, Irish, and Cherokee dance), Harambee Dance Company (African dance), Kasibahagua Taino Cultural Society (Indigenous Caribbean music & dance), and Kahurangi Maori Dance Company (Indigenous music & dance from New Zealand).
The festival will be hosted by Sandra Bookman, Eyewitness News WABC-TV, and will also feature special guests Tom Porter, a Mohawk elder with the Mohawk Singers and Dancers, and Tetiana Anderson, a noted producer and reporter.
“Drums Along the Hudson” takes place in Inwood Hill Park, rain or shine.
For more information, please visit www.drumsalongthehudson.org.
Con Edison announces rebate program

Just in time for the onset of summer, it was announced this past Tues., May 15th that Con Edison will give customers who buy an ENERGY STAR® model room air conditioner $25.
According to Con Edison, “room air conditioners with the ENERGY STAR® label are the most efficient that New Yorkers can buy. Customers can save on their electric bill by using less power, and help the environment as they save.”
Customers can receive up to two rebates, and must buy their new room air conditioners between May 15 and August 22.
Completed rebate applications must be submitted by August 31, 2012.
For more details on eligibility, to get an application, or to apply online visit www.coned.com/energyefficiency/energystar.asp.
“A Time for Healing” presentation from Sak Tzevul, Batz’i Rock Band

The Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance (NoMAA), together with HABANA/HARLEM, an independent cultural production concern, presents a special showcase from Batz’i Rock Band, Sak Tzevul, and a conversation about spirituality and indigenous traditions in contemporary life this Thurs., May 17th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The opening conversation is to be facilitated by Dowoti Desir, cultural critic, activist and educator.
With lyrics in Spanish and various Indigenous languages, Sak Tzevul advocates for unity and harmony while highlighting social justice themes such as public safety, cultural equity, environmental justice and human rights. Sak Tzevul transforms centuries-old Indigenous rhythms with Rock music along with Classical and Native American inflections to create their distinctive, signature sound.
The special presentation is part of “A Time for Healing,” a series of grass-roots forums and dialogues celebrating the NYC debut of Sak Tzevul.
The Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance is located at The Cornerstone Center at 178 Bennett Avenue at 189th Street, on the First Floor. There is a suggested donation of $10 for admission. For more information, please visit www.nomaanyc.org or 212.568.4396
City Parks Foundation offers tennis aces Academy Tryouts

For talented local juniors hoping to become the next Roger Federer or Serena Williams, the road could begin at City Parks Foundation’s 26th annual Reebok Junior Tennis Academy Tryouts on Saturday, May 19th at 3:00 PM at the USTA/ Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Park.
Fifty players between the ages of eight to 16 will be selected for the Academy, a free, six-week tournament-training program held from July – August.
“This is a specialized program that helps dedicated juniors develop into tournament-caliber players,” says Mike Silverman, Director of Sports for City Parks Foundation.
“By offsetting training costs, we enable more urban youth in New York to develop their competitive skills, gain self-confidence and maximize their potential.” S
ince the Academy’s inception in 1986, hundreds of local juniors have earned college scholarships or USTA rankings, including several who have played in the US Open.
For an application to sign up for City Parks Foundation’s Reebok Junior Tennis Academy tryouts on May 19th or for more information on the program, please call 718.760.6999 or visit www.CityParksFoundation.org.
Word Up hosts a “Fresh Press Community Panel”
This Tues., May 22nd, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., the Word Up Bookstore hosts a “Fresh Press Community Panel,”discussion to support and promote civic engagement in Washington Heights.
Formed in October 2011, Fresh Press aims to increase civic engagement opportunities to youth in Washington Heights and Harlem.
Fresh Press has enrolled 13 participants from Fresh Youth Initiative (FYI), a Washington Heights-based youth development organization.
These dedicated participants engage in team building through service within their community.
Since its founding Fresh Press members have conducted projects used to survey their neighborhood, including a community mapping project in which they identified the assets and needs in their community. Continuing with this work the youth have designed a campaign for community enrichment.
For more information, please visit www.wordupbooks.wordpress.com or call 347.688.4456.
Town hall discussion on mortgage crisis held
New York City Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez, together with New York State Senator Adriano Espaillat, and representatives from the New York State Department of Banking, the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA), Capital One Bank’s Mortgage Team, and TD Bank, are hosting a town hall discussion on the mortgage crisis this Thurs., May 31st at 6:00 p.m.
The meeting is to be held at the Water of Life Pentecostal Church at 168 West 225th Street in the Bronx.
Councilmember Rodriguez states, “The mortgage crisis is an ongoing economic problem plaguing the housing and banking markets. Families have been subjected to or victimized by adjustable rate mortgages, predatory lenders and/or short sales.”
The discussion is intended to be an open dialogue on issues of specific and local concern to residents.
All are invited to attend.
To confirm attendance please contact Tony Edwards at (917) 521-2616 or by e-mail at CMRrodriguezEvents@gmail.com.