Mark Levine

Lawrence --  As Thanksgiving approaches, we as a community, and as New Yorkers, have much to be thankful for. Last week, my office hosted a Post-Election Community Conversation at Our Children's Foundation on 125th Street, where over 300 community members came to discuss their concerns about our future. One thing I am thankful for is the many dedicated friends and neighbors, who came together that night to plan for our community’s future. The event was a powerful reminder of the positive impact a strong and united community can have. The knowledge that we will support each other and work together on the challenging road ahead is something I am deeply grateful for. Just this past weekend, I was again reminded of the unparalleled power of a strong community at my office’s 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Turkey giveaway. Thanks to the incredible generosity of local supermarkets and nonprofits, we were able to provide hundreds of Thanksgiving turkeys to families in need. As we continue to work together, I strongly encourage all New Yorkers to get involved any way they can. If you are looking for ways to do so, my office has compiled a list of organizations that are in constant need of support and volunteers. As time goes on we will continue updating and adding to this list, and as a member of the community your input regarding its content is certainly desired. We have much work to do. But I am thankful that will be doing it together. Have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving with your friends and family! Sincerely, Mark Levine Council Passes Levine Bill Overhauling Safety Standards for Gas Piping Infrastructure Over the last few years we have seen the horrific consequences of allowing illegal gas work in our city. These incidents have damaged or destroyed buildings, and tragically left tenants and residents injured or even killed.  My bill, Introduction 738-A, would bar individuals from performing work on gas piping systems unless they are licensed master plumbers, hold a qualification to work on gas lines, or are permitted to work on gas lines under the personal and immediate supervision of someone who is qualified. This legislation creates a comprehensive standard for doing this sensitive and potentially deadly work, and ensures we have the most highly qualified people on the job. As a city we have a responsibility to protect the health and lives of tenants being put at risk by unscrupulous actors who cut corners. This legislation is a major step forward towards achieving that goal. Come Testify at Parks Hearing to Unlock New York's Hidden Parks Treasures Imagine being able to stand atop the Washington Square Arch, or to take a walk through the cavernous Old Croton Aqueduct. These historic landmarks are pieces of New York City’s park system that most New Yorkers are sadly unable to experience.  At a time when City Parks usage is soaring, and New Yorkers’ appetite for discovery is at an all time high, we have resources and monuments that are untapped and underused. From North Brother Island off the coast of the Bronx, to the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in Manhattan, to the Prison Ship Martyrs' Monument in Fort Greene Park, there are countless historical education opportunities that would allow all New Yorkers to reconnect with pieces of our City’s fascinating history. Many of these places offer different perspectives both literally and figuratively on New York’s history. Whether it is underground or in the sky, these places have the ability to give New Yorkers --and tourists for that matter-- the unparalleled sense of wonder and adventure that comes from discovering something that uniquely new and old.   I am excited to announce that on Thursday, December 1st at 1 pm, I will be chairing a Parks Committee oversight hearing to explore the possibility of opening these places up for public use. Click here if you would like to join me and testify on the importance of returning these valuable resources back to the public.  New York Legal Assistance Group Visits Morningside I am very appreciative of the New York Legal Assistance Group(NYLAG) for bringing their Mobile Legal Help Center to my district office. Through the Mobile Legal Help Center, those in need of legal help were able to overcome obstacles to such as geographic isolation, health and mobility issues, and childcare concerns. Very grateful they were able to give over a dozen members of the community a free legal consultation on issues ranging from tenants’ rights and housing to immigration to obtaining public benefits, and more. Community Updates: West Harlem Development Corporation (WHDC) WHDC cordially invites you to their Fourth Annual Holiday Community Celebration and Toy Giveaway on Saturday, December 10 at 2 p.m. at Columbia University's Miller Theatre at 2960 Broadway (at 116th Street). WHDC les invita la tercera celebración comunitaria y entrega de jugeuetes. Para español vea detalles de promoción al final de este mensaje.   The event is FREE and open to the public. Each child will receive a goody bag of toys and books. You must R.S.V.P. by Dec. 1 at info@westharlemdc.org or 646-476-3394 to be able to pick up a ticket as entrance into the event.  Community Board 12 Sponsors Sanitation Forum: Explore the City with FREE ADMISSION at these Diverse NYC Cultural Institutions: Year Up New YorkIs actively recruiting 17-24 year olds who are interested in starting their career in business (finance/sales) or technology (IT). If you work with young people who are mature and hungry for an opportunity, Year Up New York is looking for young people who have never been to college and young women who they can introduce to careers in technology through their Women in Tech Initiative. Year Up is an intensive, one year program that offers paid training, paid internships, and employment placement with over 40 Fortune 500 companies here in New York City. Those interested should fill out Year Up's online interest form. New York Pops The New York Pops is calling all New York City middle-school musicians to apply now to perform onstage at Carnegie Hall on May 1, 2017! KIDS ON STAGE is a comprehensive program that provides middle school students access to the professional performance process from the first audition to the final note. The experience culminates onstage at Carnegie Hall alongside The New York Pops musicians at the annual Birthday Gala. Click here for more information about Kids on Stage and the application process. The Bloomingdale School of Music Now in its 52nd year, BSM has served more than 80,000 children and adults through group classes, private instruction, and performance opportunities in classical, jazz, and rock music.  BSM is proud of its enduring history to ensure that music is accessible to all through a rigorous free community concert series. Listed below are a few of their free upcoming concerts being performed at 323 West 108th Street: Friday, December 2nd at 7pm - Music For the Movies Violinist Naho Parrini and pianist Marc Peloquin perform music written for the movies, including a silent movie score by Saint-Saens and music from 'Fiddler on the Roof'. Free and open to the public. Friday, December 9th at 7pm - Jose Maldonado - Guitar Recital Jose Maldonado presents a program of music spanning centuries and continents including rarely heard works from Spain and France as well as “Three Danzas of Puerto Rico” by Egúrbida. Free and open to the public. Friday, December 16th at 7pm - Â Imaginative World - Three diverse composers for the piano come together for this program: Prokofiev, Debussy, and Schumann. All three share in common an imaginative musical language and style. Free and open to the public. West Harlem Assistance GroupIs looking for volunteers to help out with their 4th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 24th at the Oberia Dempsey Center from 1:00pm – 5:00pm. If you know anyone interested in volunteering, please have them reach out to Brianna Hayes at (212) 862-1399 ext. 30 or via email bhayes@whgainc.org. Holiday Weekend Train Alert:  Council Member Mark Levine http://marklevine.nationbuilder.com/

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Council Member Mark Levine - 500 West 141st Street, New York, NY 10031