Wave Hill Weekly Events: Oct 24 – Oct 31 | Fall Nature Walks & Free Halloween Celebration

 

Fall is fabulous at Wave Hill–and we have even more ways for you to get outdoors and enjoy the season. Our Archtober events continue with Design Fridays Garden Design walks (Oct 4, 18, 25). Sat, Oct 26 is City of Forest Day: take a morning Nature Walk: Life on the (Woodland) Edge with Gabriel Willow or an afternoon family adventure at Kids on the Move: Tree Trek. 

 

Celebrate Halloween at Wave Hill! The grounds will be decked out with a treasure trail of Tricks & Treats and ending at a family friendly dance party in historic Wave Hill House. Admission is free. 

 

And don’t miss our meditative, self-guided soundwalk through the woodlands available everyday, all season long – or reserve Afternoon Tea, Tuesdays and Thursdays through November 21st.  

 

 

Public Gallery Tour 

Thu, Oct 24, 2:00PM – 3:00PM 

Free, and admission to the grounds is free on Thursdays 

Registration not required 

 

Solo and group exhibitions at Glyndor Gallery explore the dynamic relationships between nature, culture and site. Visitors can expect an in-depth look at artworks on view in Glyndor Gallery and in the Sunroom Project Space, showcasing the work of both emerging and established artists in the unique context of a public garden. Today’s tour features current exhibitions by artists Soeun Bae, Jordany Genao, Dario Mohr, and Judy Pfaff. The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes. 

 

 

Design Fridays: Compelling Design Garden Walk 

Fri, Oct 25, 1:00PM – 2:00PM 

$15; including admission to the grounds 

Registration encouraged 

 

Discover how views, focal points, plant combinations, garden structures, paths and other design elements play key roles in the way Wave Hill’s gardens blend harmoniously with the natural beauty of our location along the Hudson River. Wave Hill’s Director of Public Programs and garden designer Laurel Rimmer will guide you to experience the garden in a whole new way.  

 

Family Art Project: Web Weavers 

Sat, Oct 26, 10:00AM – 1:00PM   

Sun, Oct 27, 10:00AM – 1:00PM 

Free with admission to the grounds  

Registration not required 

 

Where have you spotted spiders recently? Outside or in the house, spiders are helpful creatures. We'll weave webs to create hanging mobiles while learning about our arachnid allies.  

 

 

Nature Walk: Life on the (Woodland) Edge 

Sat, Oct 26, 10:00AM – 11:30AM 

$17; including admission to the grounds 

Registration required 

 

Urban woodlands provide habitat for many species of plants and wildlife. Sunny woodland edges are particularly vibrant environments, with large trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants offering cover and nesting sites for local birds, mammals and insects. Join NYC-based naturalist Gabriel Willow on a morning nature walk among trees and trails to explore the homes and habits of our edgiest residents. City of Forest Day event. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult.  

 

 

Kids on the Move! Tree Trek 

Sat, Oct 26, 1:00PM – 2:00PM 

Free with admission to the grounds 

Registration not required 

 

When we think of a city we think of buildings, but New York City is also home to over seven million trees. Meet some of New York's most beautiful trees on a walking tour of the Wave Hill grounds with museum educator Corinne Flax. After meeting and learning about these stately NYC residents, root down to rise up in a tree-inspired family yoga class. Recommended for ages four to eight.  

 

 

Public Gallery Tour 

Sat, Oct 26, 2:00PM – 3:00PM 

Free with admission to the grounds 

Registration not required 

 

Solo and group exhibitions at Glyndor Gallery explore the dynamic relationships between nature, culture and site. Visitors can expect an in-depth look at artworks on view in Glyndor Gallery and in the Sunroom Project Space, showcasing the work of both emerging and established artists in the unique context of a public garden. Today’s tour features current exhibitions by artists Soeun Bae, Jordany Genao, Dario Mohr, and Judy Pfaff. The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.  

 

 

Yoga in the Garden 

Sun, Oct 27, 10:00AM – 11:00AM 

$25; including admission to the grounds. Wave Hill Members save 10% 

Registration required 

 

Root your feet in the grass and look out upon the vistas as you enjoy a gentle yoga class led by Pam Kelly. All levels welcome.  

 

 

Garden Highlights Walk 

Sun, Oct 27, 1:00PM – 1:45PM 

Free with admission to the grounds 

Registration not required 

 

Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens. Topics vary by season and the expertise of the Guide--come back for an encore; each walk varies with the Guide leading it. This walk lasts a half-hour to 45 minutes. Public Garden Walks are most appropriate for adults or young adults.  

  

 

Wave Hill-O-Ween 

Thu, Oct 31, 3:00PM – 8:30PM   

Free  

Registration encouraged 

 

Calling all ghosts and goblins, pirates and princesses! For the first time ever—it’s Halloween at Wave Hill! Venture through our iron gates (if you dare!) for an evening adventure with treats, tricks and good old spooky fun. Grab a map to guide you on an eerie treasure trail through the gardens with “gourdgeous” photo ops along the way. Personalize a treat bag and decorate a mini-gourd favor, then dance away the eve with family-friendly tunes in our spooktacular Armor Hall. 

 

All children regardless of age must be accompanied by an adult. Family or group costumes are encouraged; please refrain from super-scary costumes, fake weapons, or gore that may frighten children. Masks that cover the face are not allowed.     

  

 

how fragile, we bloom: Self-Guided Woodland Soundwalk 

All open days 

Free with admission 

 

how fragile, we bloom, is an immersive soundwalk, created for Wave Hill in by musicians-composers Dorothy Chan and Lucy Yao of Chromic Duo using Augmented Reality (AR). This self-guided walk through our woodlands is available through Dec 1 using a smartphone and headphones and invites listeners to contemplate the ways that seasons bring change, our relationships to nature and the larger community, and ultimately, how we can support one another through times of uncertainty. 

 

 

Afternoon Tea 

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:30AM or 2:00PM 

Adults $50; Children $30 with adult. 

A minimum of 2 guests and 7 days’ advanced booking are required. 

Complementary admission to Wave Hill is included with purchase of tea package. 

 

Every Tuesday and Thursdays, enjoy delicious tea sandwiches and delectable pastries with a specialty tea selection served on our Kate French Terrace, weather permitting, or in our quaint Tea Room at the historic Wave Hill House. Provided by our exclusive partner Great Performances, the menu uses local and seasonal ingredients, inspired from their own organic farm, Katchkie Farm. Limited service on select dates. 

 

 

HOURS: 10AM–5:30PM, Tuesday–Sunday 

Shuttle Service Free from Subway and Metro-North, Thursday–Sunday 

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at wavehill.org.  

Leader Of Yoga To The People Pleads Guilty To Tax Evasion

 

Greg Gumucio Earned Millions of Dollars from Nationwide Yoga Business But Did Not Pay Taxes from 2012 to 2020

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that GREGORY GUMUCIO pled guilty to a conspiracy to commit tax evasion from 2012 through 2020.  GUMUCIO was the longtime leader of a prominent nationwide yoga business, Yoga to the People (“YTTP”), from which he received more than $3.5 million in income between 2012 and 2020, yet he did not file individual (or business) tax returns or pay any income taxes for at least eight consecutive years. GUMUCIO pled guilty before U.S. District Judge John P. Cronan, to whom his case is assigned. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Greg Gumucio built a thriving yoga business yet chose to evade his tax obligations for nearly a decade. This Office is committed to holding individuals accountable who fail to pay their fair share.” 

According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Information, court filings, and statements made during court proceedings:

In or around 2006, GUMUCIO founded YTTP in New York, New York.  YTTP was originally donation-based: YTTP requested, but did not require, payment from its yoga students.  YTTP started with one yoga studio on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, and it became extremely popular.  Over the ensuing years, YTTP opened at least approximately 20 yoga studios or affiliated entities throughout New York City and in various other places, including California, Colorado, Arizona, Florida, and Washington State. YTTP also had a teacher training program, which earned substantial income from aspiring yoga teachers.  YTTP operated from at least approximately 2006 until 2020.  From 2010 to 2020, YTTP and its affiliates generated gross receipts of more than $20 million.  Despite those substantial revenues, YTTP never filed a corporate tax return with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”).

GUMUCIO was YTTP’s founder, principal owner, and functional chief executive officer, as he directed and made decisions for the YTTP enterprise.  From approximately 2012 through 2020, GUMUCIO received more than $3.5 million in income and owed taxes to the IRS exceeding $1 million, but never filed a personal tax return with the IRS or paid any income taxes.  During the charged period, GUMUCIO repeatedly represented his annual income to be six figures to third parties not associated with the Government (e.g., a bank, a car financing company, and a real estate entity).  In one such instance, GUMUCIO submitted a fabricated tax return to a third party, which a co-defendant prepared for GUMUCIO at GUMUCIO’s request.  During the charged period, GUMUCIO enjoyed an extravagant lifestyle, which included frequent foreign travel; expensive hotels, meals, and clothing; NFL season tickets; and country club payments.

GUMUCIO and his co-conspirators used various methods to evade taxes, including, among others:

• Accepting yoga students’ payments in cash (e.g., which was collected in tissue boxes) and paying yoga teachers in cash and “off the books”;
• Generally forbidding YTTP teachers from counting incoming cash that yoga students paid and requiring yoga studio managers to transport cash proceeds to GUMUCIO’s apartment on St. Marks Place in Manhattan, where those proceeds were “stacked” and counted during so-called “stacking parties”;
• Failing to maintain a corporate headquarters or keep corporate books and records;
• Using nominees to disguise GUMUCIO and his co-conspirators’ connection to various entities which, in fact, were part of the YTTP enterprise and from which GUMUCIO and his co-conspirators received income;
• Using YTTP business accounts to pay GUMUCIO’s (and his co-conspirators’) personal expenses; and
• Maximizing unreported income, as GUMUCIO manipulated subordinates into providing free labor (e.g., teaching unpaid classes, stacking cash, cleaning yoga studios, depositing cash into bank accounts, etc.).

GUMUCIO, 63, of Colorado, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the IRS, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Under the terms of his plea agreement, GUMUCIO has agreed to pay restitution to the IRS of at least $2,560,300.93.

The statutory maximum sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as GUMUCIO’s sentence will be determined by the judge.

GUMUCIO’s two co-defendants, Michael Anderson and Haven Soliman, are currently scheduled to proceed to trial on January 13, 2025, before Judge Cronan.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding efforts of the IRS Criminal Investigation’s New York and Dallas Field Offices; the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General’s New York Regional Office; and Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

This matter is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Neff and Rushmi Bhaskaran are in charge of the prosecution.

Affordable Housing for Seniors Launches at 2528 Grand Avenue in Fordham Manor

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 2528 Grand Avenue, an eight-story residential building in Fordham Manor, The Bronx. Designed by Angelo Ng & Anthony NG Architects and developed by Long Guang Lin under the KBH Realty NYC LLC, the structure yields 59 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 19 units for residents at 80 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $59,486 to $134,160. 

At least one household member needs to be 62 years old or over. Amenities include pet-friendly policies, a shared laundry room, elevator, and a rooftop terrace. Units come with hardwood floors. Tenants are responsible for electricity.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there are nine one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,651 for incomes ranging from $59,486 to $111,840, and 34 two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,705 for incomes ranging from $92,743 to $167,570.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than October 24, 2024.

Four Men Charged with Violating Export and Firearms Laws

 

Haitham Al-Dulaimi, 30, Haider Lazem, 41, Hasan Wasak, 27, and Abdullah Alsajee, 30, all of Louisville, Kentucky, were arrested pursuant to a now-unsealed indictment. They were charged with conspiracy to: violate the Export Control Reform Act, smuggle goods from the United States, engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license, make false statements in the purchase of firearms, and defraud the United States government. The indictment also charges Alsajee, Lazem, and Wasak with making false statements in the purchase of firearms.

According to the indictment, from February 2023 through September 2024, Al-Dulaimi, Lazem, Wasak, and Alsajee conspired to export firearms, including Glocks, Rugers, Sig Sauers, and Smith & Wessons, from the United States to Iraq, without obtaining the required export licenses. In furtherance of the conspiracy, Wasak, Alsajee, and Lazem, procured firearms from federal firearm licensees and at gun shows in the Louisville area. Wasak, Alsajee, and Lazem then delivered the firearms to Al-Dulaimi, who arranged them for the export to Iraq. Thirty-eight firearms were detained by law enforcement from a shipment sent by Al-Dulaimi intended for Iraq.

If convicted, Al-Dulaimi, Lazem, Alsajee, and Wasak face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for violations of export control laws, and five years in prison for the conspiracy charge. Lazem, Alsajee, and Wasak also face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for false statements during the purchase of a firearm. Al-Dulaimi faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for smuggling and five years in prison for dealing in firearms without a license. The indictment also notifies defendants that the United States intends to forfeit firearms alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett for the Western District of Kentucky, Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch, Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Louisville Field Division, and Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Nashville Field Office announced the case.

The ATF, HSI, and FBI are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia P. Gomez for the Western District of Kentucky and Trial Attorney Leslie C. Esbrook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Governor Hochul Extends Application Deadline for Income Eligible Homeowners to Apply for Emergency Repair Grants for July and August Extreme Weather Events

Eligible Homeowners May Apply From Chautauqua, Madison, Erie, Oneida, Essex, Saratoga, Lewis and Warren Counties for July 10-16, 2024 Severe Weather Events

Eligible Homeowners May Apply From Allegany, Oswego, Delaware, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Steuben and Jefferson Counties for August 9-10, 2024 Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby

Eligible Homeowners May Apply From Nassau and Suffolk Counties for August 18-19, 2024 Severe Weather Events 

Governor Kathy Hochul extended the application deadline for homeowners to apply for emergency repair grants for the July and August 2024 extreme weather events across the state. Under this program, administered by Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), emergency home repair assistance is available to eligible homeowners who reside in the impacted counties below. Funding up to $50,000 may be used for emergency housing repairs necessary to make the home safe, sanitary and habitable. The application deadline has now been extended to Friday, November 8.

“Extreme weather events have become all too common in our state, and my administration is committed to providing relief to New Yorkers in need,” Governor Hochul said. “These emergency repair grants are giving families the opportunity to rebuild — providing a lifeline to New Yorkers as they recover from these devastating storms.”

Funds are available to eligible homeowners for their primary residence where flood or insurance coverage or other forms of disaster recovery funds are not sufficient to return the home to a safe and habitable condition. The program is administered by non-profit organizations and serves the following counties:

• July 10-16, 2024 severe weather events: Eligible Counties - Chautauqua, Madison, Erie, Oneida, Essex, Saratoga, Lewis, Warren
• August 9-10, 2024 severe weather events: Eligible Counties - Allegany, Oswego, Delaware, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Steuben, Jefferson
• August 18-19, 2024 severe weather events: Eligible Counties - Nassau and Suffolk

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “New York is ready to help eligible homeowners rebuild and repair following the major storms this past summer. We thank Governor Hochul for her leadership and our local partners for helping ensure homeowners have the resources they need to make their homes safe.”

More information on the program, including guidelines, administrators and income requirements is available by storm on HCR’s website.