sat., feb. 22
tax preparation: All Bronx residents are eligible for free tax filing if they are single with no dependents and earn less than $25,000 or file with dependents and earn less than $52,000. Since space is limited, qualifying taxpayers must call the Ridgewood Savings Bank in Bronx, NY that is hosting the session in advance to schedule an appointment from 9:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Held at the bank’s Allerton Avenue branch – 711 Allerton Ave.; (718) 882-2220.
family fitness: January is Family Fit Month, which should catapult you and your family’s drive to be healthier from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. It doesn’t take a genius to realize the consequences of inactivity and loads of unhealthy foods, so why not use your family as support in becoming a more fit and active unit! The workshop will include: Information on the importance of staying healthy as a family through health and nutrition and a family exercise class. We will have give-aways and light refreshments. RSVP: 1-646-476-1294
Tai Chi and Qigong: Join us to experience the healing benefits of tai chi. It’s easy on the joints, helps reduce stress and can improve flexibility and balance. While tai chi is generally safe for all ages and fitness levels, please let your doctor know you’ll be taking an exercise class. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. Space is limited and reservations are required. Each event is open to the public and is being held at 215 West 125th St. in Harlem. RSVP: 866-469-0999.
mon., feb. 24
sitting exercise: Join us for a DVD workout that can improve your stability and balance and help you stay mobile from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. It is designed to develop strength and enhance your ability to perform the activities of everyday life, making it perfect for seniors. Learn how to increase stamina, develop strength in upper and lower body, improve balance and use of hand weights is optional. Please let your doctor know you’ll be taking part in an exercise class. Each event is open to the public and is being held at 206-20 Linden Boulevard in Cambria Heights, Queens. RSVP: 1-646-476-1294
walk the pounds away: Join us for a fun walk-in-place workout! No complicated steps and no equipment needed. This DVD workout is safe for all ages and fitness levels, so lace up your walking shoes and join us! Wear comfortable shoes and workout wear. We’ll provide plenty of water. We’ll ask you to fill out an emergency form on the first day of class. Be sure to let your doctor know you’ll be taking part in an exercise class. Each event is open to the public and is being held at 215 West 125th St. in Harlem. RSVP: 866-469-0999.
wed., feb. 25 & Thurs. feb. 26
Home repair: Build it! Fix it! Do it yourself! Learn carpentry, basic electrical, tiling, wood framing and much more in this fun six-week course. The Electrical & Plumbing course starts Tuesday, Feb. 25, 6:00 p.m. and the Basic Carpentry course on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 6:00 p.m. Sponsored by Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of East Flatbush, a not-for-profit housing organization. For more details, call 718-469-4679. www.nhsnyc.org.
ongoing
mon., jan. 6 – sat., Mar. 22
winter workshops: Registration has already started but it is not to late to get in on the action. Registration for classes and workshops is ongoing throughout the term. Families, adults and children can choose from a variety of classes and workshops running morning, afternoon, evening and on weekends. Pelham Art Center Members receive 10 percent off classes. Need-based scholarships and payment plans are available. The Winter Catalog can be found on the Art Center’s website, pelhamartcenter.org/education, or call (914) 738-2525 ext. 111 to request one by mail or email. Students may register online, in person, mail, email, phone or fax. Pelham Art Center administrative hours are Tuesday- Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
fri., Jan. 31 – sat., Mar. 29, 2014
migration narratives: Pelham Art Center is pleased to announce a group exhibition of kinetic sculpture, installation, drawing, painting and video narratives by seven contemporary artists. There will be an opening reception and all age hands-on workshop from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Admission is free. This multi-media exhibition relates stories of individual transitions from one state of being to another. Independent Curator Lisa A. Banner is an art historian and visiting associate professor at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. Additional free public programming will include a Curator Talk on Thursday, Feb. 27, 6:00 p.m.
sat., feb. 8 – fri., mar. 7
art exhibition: This body of work is described by the artist as “interpretizm” – paintings on canvas along with various elements of wood and masonite. In the spirit of “cabinet de curiosités,” inspired by the surrealistic boxes by Joseph Cornell, Man Ray and Marcel Duchamp, many of Al Johnson’s works utilize found objects and collages. Through his rich tonal palette he creates gestural and chromatic allegories, which open the gates to the magic of dreams.His profound connection to the quintessential rhythms of jazz strongly resonate in his work in a frenetic way; yet he has a placed and controlled style as if his paintbrush was dancing with drips, dots and strokes to the rhythm of an African drum. Al Johnson’s art is inspirational to the spirit. When you look once you will want to look again. As the artist says, “A part of my life is based on dreams. I dream of things that are unseen. I create these dreams and bring them to life.” As an exceptional colorist, Al Johnson creates the magic and invites the public to experience moods, personalities and love in his “Room of Wonders.” La Maison D’art Private Gallery is located at 259 W 132nd St. (Between 7th & 8th avenues) in Manhattan. Call (718) 593-4108 or go to: www.lamaisondartny.com.
flood relief: Donations are being accepted at the Friends of Crown Heights Center located at 671 Prospect Place, Brooklyn. Donations will also be accepted by Mirtha Colon, a Garifuna from Honduras, who operates Hondurans Against Aids out of Casa Yurumein in the Bronx. Casa Yurumein is located at 874 Prospect Ave. in the South Bronx, corner of Westchester Avenue. Checks and money orders are welcomed and should be made out to “SVG Community Inc.” Anyone in the Long Island area who wishes to make a donation but cannot drive to Brooklyn, please call (347) 488-4395 to arrange a drop off or to arrange for Colon to pick up the donation. Items needed include medical supplies, non-perishable food, clothes, shoes, candles. Monetary donations can be made in the form of checks or money orders addressed to “SVG Community Inc.”
passport application center: Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) launched a second Passport Application Center at the Kings Highway Library providing a convenient facility for Brooklyn residents and new immigrants to apply for passports. Hours are temporarily set for 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday and Sunday by appointment. The Center is currently closed on Saturdays until further notice. The library is located at 2115 Ocean Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11229. To make an appointment, call (718) 230-2292 or (718) 375-3037 ext. 128.
Featuring Home REpair: Is your boiler, water main or roof in need of fixing? Do you need major repairs done but lack the finances? Now is the best time to fix it. Neighborhood Housing Services of East Flatbush, a not-for-profit housing organization can assist you. For more information on the Home Improvement Programs, call (718)469-4679 or visit www.nhsofeastflatbush.org.
Foreclosure: Are you behind in your mortgage or seeking a modification? Come in for free services and assistance. We will help you as much as possible to keep your home. Referrals for free legal assistance are also available. To schedule an appointment or for more information, call (718) 469-4679. Sponsored by Neighborhood Housing Services of East Flatbush and the Center for New York City Neighborhoods, not-for-profit organizations. www.nhsnyc.org.
Home Help for disabled: If you are a disabled homeowner living in Brooklyn or have someone disabled living in your household, you may qualify for up to $5,000 in home repair grants. Repairs must be geared toward making the home accessible and convenient for the disabled person. Sponsored by Neighborhood Housing Services of East Flatbush, a not-for-profit housing organization, and the New York State Housing Trust Corporation. For more information, please call (718) 469-4679.
Community Center: Are you looking to improve your life? Take a class at Community Learning Center: How to Write a Book or Script, Create a Resume, How to Create Wealth, Get/Keep a Spouse, Start a Business. Classes for everyone. Community Learning Center, 147-12 Archer Ave., Queens. For more information/RSVP, call (718) 291-1094.
Donations: St. Robert Bellarmine Church is joining efforts with the Diocese of Trenton to bring relief to victims in the hardest hit areas. The church has organized a sorting sub station in the parish and will be delivering donations to various locations shortly. The church is seeking donations of cardboard shipping boxes for packing or rubber bins for storage for victims. Donations are tax deductible and the church will provide you with a receipt upon request. Feel free to contact St. Robert Bellarmine Church at any time Attn: SRB Hurricane Relief Effort, 61 Georgia Rd., Freehold, NJ 07728 or srbwelcome@gmail.com, Pam Stengel (732) 580-0075, Linda Altini (917) 578-4852. Phone: (732) 462-7429 or Fax: (732) 409-3496.
Farmers Market: Seeds in the Middle is sponsoring The Crown Heights Farmers Market offering fresh fruits and vegetables, including callaloo and Caribbean favorites and accepting EBT, WIC, Snap, FMNP, Health Bucks, and Fresh Connect. The market will be operating every Thursday from noon to 7:00 p.m. at Hamilton Metz Park at Albany and Lefferts avenues, Brooklyn. For more information, visit www.seedsinthemiddle.org.
If you have an event you would like to post in Sun Kulcha, please email your submission to Caribbeanlife@cnglocal.com. All submissions are subject to a review by the editor.
Compiled by Natalie Y. Henry
