HEALTH DEPARTMENT CLOSES TWO WILLIAMSBURG SCHOOLS FOR VIOLATING COMMISSIONER’S ORDER DURING MEASLES OUTBREAK

To date, the Health Department has issued twelve school closure orders since the April 9 measles Emergency Order

Since the April 9 Emergency Order, 51,124 MMR vaccinations have been administered to children 6 months to 18 years citywide, a 38% increase compared to the same time period last year; of those, 3,844 were administered to children from Williamsburg – a 99% increase compared to the same time period last year

588 cases have been confirmed since the beginning of a measles outbreak last October.

  The Health Department announced today that it has closed two schools in Williamsburg for failing to comply with an Order of the Health Commissioner in response to the current measles outbreak. UTA of Williamsburg – Yeshiva Torah V’Yirah (590 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg, NY 11249) was closed today for failing to provide sufficient proof of immunity for a child who was present at the school and for allowing unvaccinated children and staff on site. UTA 212 (212 Williamsburg Street, Williamsburg, NY 11211) was closed for allowing 35 students who were either unvaccinated or did not have the required number of doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine to attend school. The schools will not be allowed to reopen until the Health Department reviews and approves a submitted corrective action plan that addresses the lapses in complying with the Commissioner’s Order. The Health Department had previously closed ten schools—including one of the programs closed today—for failing to comply with the Commissioner’s Order. This is the second time UTA of Williamsburg – Yeshiva Torah V’Yirah (590 Bedford Avenue) has been closed for violating the Commissioner’s Order.

“The spread of measles may be slowing down but we are not,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “This is a message to all schools that have been ordered to exclude unvaccinated children -- we will not stop our enforcement until the outbreak comes to an end. School staff must do their part to help us end this outbreak and keep New Yorkers safe. We also continue to urge everyone to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their families and their communities against measles.”

Current Case Count

As of June 11, 2019, 588 cases of measles have been confirmed since the beginning of the outbreak last October. 437 cases (74%) have occurred in Williamsburg (ZIP codes 11205, 11206, 11211, 11249), which has been under an Emergency Order issued April 9 requiring those who live or work in these ZIP codes to have been vaccinated with the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR). A small number of cases have occurred outside of these neighborhoods but have, to date, not resulted in sustained transmission of measles.

Vaccination Progress

Since the April 9 Emergency Order, 51,124 MMR vaccinations have been administered to children 6 months to 18 years citywide, a 38% increase when compared to the same time period last year. Of those immunizations, 3,844 vaccines were administered to children in Williamsburg, a 99% increase in that neighborhood compared to the same time period last year. The Health Department credits this increase in part to partnerships with community organizations and community leaders within the Orthodox Jewish community, who have not only encouraged vaccination, but have worked with the Health Department to organize vaccination clinics and vaccine education and awareness events.

Community Outreach

The Health Department will continue to expand outreach to the affected community to provide education about the dangers of measles and the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. Since the beginning of the outbreak, the Health Department has:

• Published ads and distributed educational materials specific to the Orthodox community in both English and Yiddish.
  • Starting last month, ads have been running on bus shelters, LinkNYC kiosks, and in newspapers and online publications.
• Met with rabbinical and community leaders, health care providers and local elected officials to highlight the importance of getting vaccinated and the dangers of measles.
• Worked with community leaders and community-based organizations on vaccine education.
• Distribution of approximately 29,000 pro-vaccination booklets (Tzim Gezint and A Slice of PIE) each geared to the Orthodox community in both English and Yiddish.
• Conducted 25 rounds of robocalls that have gone out to about 30,000 households each.
• Individual calls to 16,000 households will be made reminding people in the community of the importance of vaccination.
• Sent text messages to almost 16,000 numbers.
• Sent letters to parents who have not vaccinated their children to remind them to make an appointment with their doctor and schedule a vaccination.
• Sent emails to medical providers with unvaccinated children in their practice encouraging immediate vaccination 
• Hosted a tele-Town Hall on April 30, 2018 to counter anti-vaccination propaganda.

To stop the spread of measles in New York City, the Health Department on April 9 ordered adults and children ages 6 months and older who live, work or go to school in ZIP codes 11205, 11206, 11211 and 11249 receive a measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine within 48 hours. If non-compliant, the Health Department announced it would issue a civil summons to those in the affected ZIP codes who had not been vaccinated as of April 12. For more information, New Yorkers can visit the Health Department’s Measles page.

SCIENCE PREVAILS AS DINOWITZ VACCINE BILL PASSES LEGISLATURE

As New York’s measles outbreak approaches one thousand confirmed cases, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and State Senator Brad Hoylman are poised to eliminate non-medical exemptions to school vaccine requirements.

  After months of increasingly urgent demands from the medical community and families of immuno-compromised children for action to combat the ongoing measles outbreak, controversial legislation from Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and State Senator Brad Hoylman appears to be on the precipice of becoming state law. On Thursday, the Assembly and State Senate both approved a measure which would repeal all non-medical exemptions to school vaccine requirements. The legislation follows California’s lead, who enacted a similar repeal of non-medical exemptions after a measles outbreak in 2015 and saw their statewide vaccination rates rise almost 5% in just three years. Once signed, New York would become the fifth state to ban all non-medical exemptions joining California, Mississippi, West Virginia, and most recently Maine.

The non-medical exemption repeal effort in New York has been ongoing since 2015, but was infused with new urgency as New York has become the epicenter of the largest measles outbreak in the United States since 1992. Since the current outbreak began in September 2018, New York State has confirmed over 850 measles cases, predominantly in New York City and Rockland County – accounting for the vast majority of the 1,022 confirmed measles cases nationwide (through June 6). While the United States officially eliminated measles in 2000, the recent outbreak has put that status in jeopardy and reignited a bitter fight over the efficacy of modern medicine between anti-vaxxers and public health experts.

While there is ardent opposition to vaccination efforts among a small group of anti-vaxxers, the legislation has 84% support among all New Yorkers according to a recent Siena College poll. Joining the vast majority of New Yorkers in their support are numerous medical and health policy organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, New York State Academy of Family Physicians, Medical Society for the State of New York, March of Dimes, Kids v. Cancer, and many more.

Governor Cuomo has publicly stated that he will sign the bill if it passes both legislative chambers and is expected to do so quickly.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said: “I am incredibly proud that science has won with the passage of this bill. We should be taking medical advice from medical professionals, not strangers on the internet spreading pseudo-science misinformation. This will not be the end of our efforts to combat the ongoing measles outbreak, but it is an important step.

The vitriolic language coming from those in the gallery who opposed the bill highlights the depths to which the rhetoric around this conversation has fallen. Those of us who have been advocating for increased vaccination have frequently been on the receiving end of their vitriol for many months, but now it has been laid bare in their breach of decorum. I hope that we can move forward from here, with level heads, and work together to protect the health of New Yorkers – particularly those with compromised immune systems and those who are too young to be vaccinated. Thank you to Speaker Carl Heastie for his leadership in helping steward this legislation through the Assembly, to Senator Hoylman for leading the charge in the State Senate, and to all the advocates who fought for this important public health policy change.”

State Senator Brad Hoylman said: “Today, the legislature is sending a strong message to New Yorkers that vaccines are safe and effective. We’re putting science ahead of misinformation about vaccines and standing up for the rights of immunocompromised children and adults, pregnant women and infants who can’t be vaccinated through no fault of their own. With our actions today, we can help avoid future outbreaks of vaccine-preventable illnesses like measles. I’m exceedingly grateful to the leadership of Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, my Assembly co-sponsor Jeffrey Dinowitz, and my Senate colleagues for their support of our legislation ending non-medical exemptions for vaccinations in New York.”

Temple Hatikva Special Father's Day Service. Friday June 14

 We’ve just take the time to honor our mothers and the matriarchs of our people. Now it’s time to give proper due to the fathers! Its a fitting time to honor our fathers and patriarchs, Now we can rejoice further in our heritage and the unbroken chain of study and tradition that has been passed down to us, from one father to the next, (of course made possible by the mothers whom we celebrated last month!) until here we are continuing to share these teachings and paving the way for our children as well. Let us gather and daven, hear the words of the Torah, and celebrate the fathers in our community.

 Temple Hatikva is a Reform / Conservative synagogue serving all those of the Jewish faith. We invite you to join us for our traditional, yet modern services, All religious services and Adult Education sessions are FREE to attend. Services will be Friday June 14, 2019 at Bronx House 990 Pelham Parkway South at 7:30 pm

6/15/19 Bronx Rally Play Fair with Parks

The Bronx Democratic Party County Dinner - 2019 Honorees

The Bronx Democratic Party is happy to present our 2019 County Dinner Honorees, each have made notable contributions and accomplished key victories throughout their respective industries that resonate throughout Bronx County & the Great State on New York.

Chairman Marcos A.Crespo along with The Bronx Democratic Party hope that this coming Wednesday, July 17th at 6PM, you join us in recognizing our esteemed honorees.

If you have not already, below please find buttons linking you to our official invitation, sponsorship/ journal opportunities and contribution forms.

OFFICIAL INVITATION 2019 BRONX DEMOCRATIC PARTY DINNER CLICK HERE FOR CONTRIBUTION FORM (required w/ payment) CLICK HERE FOR SPONSORSHIP INFO & JOURNAL AD OPPORTUNITIES

BP DIAZ FIGHTS FOR INCREASED MWBE PARTICIPATION IN NEW YORK CITY’S PENSION FUND

Two resolutions introduced today would require the NYCERS to significantly increase its business with Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises

 This morning, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. introduced two resolutions designed to increase diversity at the New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS), which administers the retirement benefits for over 350,000 members, by increasing the pension fund’s contracting with Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE).

“Our city is the most diverse in the world, and our investment decisions should reflect that diversity,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who serves as a trustee on the NYCERS board. “For too long, NYCERS has failed to provide enough opportunity to MWBE fund managers, and these two resolutions are the first step towards providing true equity at the largest pension management system in the world.”

The first resolution will empower NYCERS to hire a consultant specifically to vet qualified MWBE fund managers in order to consider them for future pension fund management. A second resolution would require NYCERS to dedicate 20 percent of all investments with MWBE managers, eventually rising to 50 percent.

The total estimated value of NYCERS funds is roughly $194 billion. Currently, NYCERS only contracts roughly 10 percent of all of its assets with MWBE fund managers.

“We cannot accept limited MWBE participation in any form of City investment, and that includes at our pension fund,” said Borough President Diaz. “It is incumbent upon NYCERS to recognize the diversity of this city and do everything it can to reflect that diversity in its own hiring and contracting processes.”

Borough President Diaz first announced this package of resolutions in his February “State of the Borough” Address.

“And we must promote equity and opportunity, not just in housing and education, but in all areas. That is why, as a trustee on the New York City Employees Retirement System Board, I will be introducing a resolution mandating that NYCERS allocate double the percentage of its funds currently managed by MWBEs,” said Borough President Diaz in his speech. “My resolution requires that diversity increase until our fund managers better represent the diversity of our city. Women are 60 percent of NYC’s workforce, and minorities comprise approximately 55 percent. Together, we will level the playing field at our pension fund.”

 

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES PILOT INITIATIVE TO DIVERT HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS ON THE SUBWAY FROM UNNECESSARY COURT PROCESSES

SUPPORTS, NOT SUMMONSES:

Unsheltered individuals in the subway system in Manhattan to be offered shelter and services in lieu of summonses

 The de Blasio Administration today announced a pilot initiative to support people experiencing unsheltered homelessness on the subway by offering alternative pathways off the streets into transitional and permanent housing. The New York City Police Department, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, the City’s Department of Homeless Services, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, and New York City Transit will enhance their close coordination with HOME-STAT outreach teams by providing new options to individuals they encounter in the subway system, diverting individuals from the criminal justice system towards outreach services and supportive programs.

“New Yorkers want homeless people in the subway to receive the right interventions that will help them get back on their feet. Subjecting these individuals to criminal justice involvement for low level, non-violent offenses is not the answer and does not help anyone,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This initiative strikes the right balance, and we are excited to give it a try as we expand approaches to prevent and address homelessness.”

Through the Subway Diversion Project, individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness (i.e. having no active legal address at the time of engagement and not residing in shelter) encountered by the NYPD in the transit system (i.e. subway cars and subway stations) in Manhattan and observed to be in violation of New York City Transit Code of Conduct rules, such as fare evasion and lying outstretched, will be offered referrals to services in lieu of civil summonses. The program will begin on July 1^st. Participants who opt into the program will complete an assessment with an outreach team, receive a referral to shelter and/or other services, and have their summonses cleared in coordination with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, ultimately diverting them towards shelter away from unnecessary formal court processes and helping more people come inside and out of the subways. Any incidents of violent crime will still result in arrest and strong enforcement

“The NYPD works continuously with our partners – such as the MTA, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, DHS, and the Bowery Residents’ Committee (BRC) – to connect those in need with critical services, and to improve quality of life and safety on the subways and across the city,” said NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill.  “These partnerships include innovative solutions like this one to strike a sensible balance and to deliver real results for New Yorkers.”

“As the City continues to lighten the touch of enforcement on low level offenses and build the fairest possible justice system, we are thankful for this partnership with the Bowery Residents' Committee, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and City agencies to help ensure people experiencing homelessness have ample access to resources and supports that best address their needs,” said Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice Director Elizabeth Glazer

“Our Office is proud to continue investing in structural reforms that keep New Yorkers out of the justice system and provide more meaningful interventions instead. Unsheltered people living in the subway need services – not arrests and court appearances for technical violations of transit rules,” said Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance. “I thank Mayor de Blasio, the NYPD, and the Bowery Residents Committee for their innovation and collaboration on this potentially life-altering pilot program.”

“Our City is focused on continually finding new ways to reach New Yorkers in need where they are and encourage them to accept services,” said Department of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks. “In partnership with the NYPD, our HOME-STAT outreach teams continue to bring creative ideas and interventions to the table to build on our progress transitioning more than 2,200 people off the streets and subways and into shelter and housing. Diverting individuals from criminal justice system involvement while helping them come out of the subways and into shelter and housing programs is a win for everyone.”

“As we address the citywide challenge of homelessness, our HOME-STAT outreach providers continue to innovate with new approaches and enhance partnerships, offering those we serve alternative pathways back to housing permanency,” said Department of Homeless Services Administrator Joslyn Carter. “Working closely with the NYPD, MOCJ, and Manhattan DA’s office, we’re bringing our experience and expertise to the table to help connect unsheltered New Yorkers to services and supports as they get back on their feet, instead of burdening them with unnecessary court processes and summonses, which can make it harder to regain stability. We’re proud to be part of this progressive partnership and look forward to continuing to build on our collaborations.”

“BRC is proud to have this opportunity to enhance our great partnership with NYC DHS and the NYPD, undertaking this pioneering and necessary effort that recognizes that the solution to homelessness is not to criminalize the victim but to guide them toward the help they need,” said BRC CEO Muzzy Rosenblatt.

NYPD Engagement – Throughout their regular tours of duty, when NYPD Transit officers encounter people experiencing unsheltered homelessness on the subway committing Transit Code violations, rather than arrest these individuals and serve them with a civil summons, officers will complete an initial review to determine the individual’s housing status and eligibility for participation in the Subway Diversion Project.

NYPD Referral and HOME-STAT Outreach Assessment – If deemed eligible, the NYPD officer will offer the individual participation in the diversion program in lieu of a civil summons. Individuals who choose to participate in the project will be escorted to one of four Manhattan district offices where not-for-profit social service and HOME-STAT outreach provider BRC will complete an assessment to determine their housing, employment, medical, and substance use and mental health treatment histories. BRC outreach teams will be available 24/7/365 for referral calls.

Diversion to Services – Any individual who agrees to participate in the diversion program will give their summons to the BRC outreach team, who will coordinate with the MTA and the NYPD to clear the summons.

Placement and Follow-Up – Following the assessment and concurrent with the diversion confirmation, the team will discuss possible short-term and long-term referral options with the client, drawing on their experience utilizing harm reduction models and other evidence-based practices to inform services offered to diversion program participants.Depending on the results of the assessment, the BRC outreach team will offer the client a referral to appropriate placement at one of the following locations:

Medical and Non-Medical Detox Placements

Dedicated overnight and Safe Haven beds

Drop-In Services

NYC Shelter Intake

Referral Appointment for BRC Drop-In Office Hours

These practices will form the backbone of the diversion program, creating an effective structure for removing barriers to service and respecting each client’s individual level of readiness for change. BRC’s approach to outreach as part of the City’s HOME-STAT program provides a brief restorative intervention to deflect participants away from the formal court process. The pilot’s impact will be analyzed by MOCJ in partnership with the NYPD, DHS and BRC and evaluated for expansion.

Building on Unprecedented Investments and Interventions – Since 2014, the City has redoubled outreach efforts, dedicating unprecedented new resources to street outreach programs and providers:

Helping more than 2,200 individuals off the streets and out of the subways and into transitional and permanent settings since the launch of HOME-STAT in April 2016.

More than doubling the City’s investment in street homeless programs, increasing by more than from approximately $45M in 2013 to approximately $126M today.

More than doubling the number of outreach staff canvassing the streets and subways engaging New Yorkers 24/7/365 since 2014, from 191 to nearly 400, with those dedicated staff spending months building relationships by making regular contact with street homeless New Yorkers to build trust and encourage them to accept services and transition off the streets.

On our way to tripling the number of emergency ‘safe haven’ and ‘stabilization’ beds dedicated to serving street homeless New Yorkers citywide since 2014, with hundreds of beds opened during this Administration and hundreds more set to open in the coming years, ultimately increasing the operating total from roughly 600 beds to nearly 1,800 beds. Taken together with additional roughly 350 respite beds, there will be 2,100 beds dedicated to serving street homeless individuals available to HOME-STAT outreach teams citywide.

Building the City’s first-ever by-name list of individuals known to be homeless and residing on the streets and in the subways to improve delivery of services, with outreach teams now knowing approximately 1,700 street homeless individuals by name and actively engaging another 2,200 individuals encountered on the streets to determine whether they are homeless.

Increasing joint outreach operations to engage more New Yorkers and offer more supports, including expanding joint outreach operations with NYPD in Midtown, Manhattan to seven days per week, and enhancing coordination with the NYPD and MTA on the subways to provide alternative pathways to permanence.

  

New Yorkers who see individuals they believe to be homeless and in need of assistance should contact 3-1-1 via phone or mobile app and request outreach assistance for the most immediate response.

Wave Hill events June 27‒July 4: Rosy Sunday

Thu, June 27

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Fri, June 28

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Sat, June 29

Family Art Project: Nature Reshaping and Wild Adaptation

As humanity continues to reshape the world around itself, what will other life on this planet come to look like? With exhibiting artistGeoffrey Owen Miller, create art inspired by his work in Wave Hill’s Sun Porch and envision dreams of future nature. Create papercraft sculptures of plants and animals of your imagination based on adaptations that will be important to the future. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sat, June 29

Gallery Tour

Tour Glyndor Gallery with Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow or Gallery Greeter to get an insider’s view of current exhibitions. The exhibition Here We Land features three former Winter Workspace artists, Camille Hoffman, Maria Hupfield and Sara Jimenez, who return to explore narratives about contested space that draw on personal and cultural touch points in their immersive installations. In the Sunroom, Amir Hariri creates sculptural installations constructed of wood, brick and other building materials—along with a wall drawing—that connect to his architectural research to the Bronx and Wave Hill. In the Sun Porch, Geoffrey Owen Miller suspends transparent, upside down sculptures of flora and fauna—inspired by Wave Hill—from the ceiling over sheets of black-mirrored glass. Visitors see prismatic reflections of the hanging plants and animals in upright positions in the glass. Free with admission to the grounds.

Glyndor Gallery, 2PM

Sun, June 30

Yoga in the Garden

On Sundays through July, enjoy the gardens as the setting for your yoga practice as your find your breath and become connected to the landscape. Classes are led by certified Yoga Haven instructors. All levels welcome. Please bring a mat and be on time. This class is rain or shine; the rain location is Glyndor Gallery. $25; Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration suggested, online.

On the Grounds, 9:30‒10:30AM

Sun, June 30

Family Art Project: Nature Reshaping and Wild Adaptation

As humanity continues to reshape the world around itself, what will other life on this planet come to look like? With exhibiting artistGeoffrey Owen Miller, create art inspired by his work in Wave Hill’s Sun Porch and envision dreams of future nature. Create papercraft sculptures of plants and animals of your imagination based on adaptations that will be important to the future. Free with admission to the grounds.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sun, June 30

Rosy Sunday Wellness: Rose Water Spritz Station

Stop by our spritz station to sample scents from the Rosaceae (Rose) family. Learn about the medicinal qualities of roses and mix your own rose water spritz to use cosmetically or around the house. Ages eight and older welcome with an adult. $10 materials fee.Rosy Sunday event.

On the Grounds, 11AM‒1PM

Sun, June 30

Garden Walk: The Rose Garden

To misquote Shakespeare, that which we call a rose…could be a lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis), a pearlbush (Exochorda racemosa) or even a California holly (Heteromeles arbutifolia). Discover the amazing diversity of the rose (Rosaceae) family on a gentle stroll through the garden with Senior Horticultural Interpreter Charles Day. Free with admission to the grounds. Rosy Sunday event.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, NOON

Sun, June 30

Rosy Sunday Cooking Demo: Stop and Eat the Roses

Roses are beautiful and fragrant, but did you know that they are also edible? Both rose petals and rose water are common ingredients in Persian, Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine. Learn how to incorporate the aromatic flavor of roses into your summer recipes and sample rosy baked goods and a beverage prepared by a talented chef from Great Performances. Go home with tasty recipes and a new appreciation for this noble flower! Free with admission to the grounds. Rosy Sunday event.

Wave Hill House, 2PM

Sun, June 30

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 2PM

Tue, July 2

Gallery Tour

Tour Glyndor Gallery with Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow or Gallery Greeter to get an insider’s view of current exhibitions. The exhibition Here We Land features three former Winter Workspace artists, Camille Hoffman, Maria Hupfield and Sara Jimenez, who return to explore narratives about contested space that draw on personal and cultural touch points in their immersive installations. In the Sunroom, Amir Hariri creates sculptural installations constructed of wood, brick and other building materials—along with a wall drawing—that connect to his architectural research to the Bronx and Wave Hill. In the Sun Porch, Geoffrey Owen Miller suspends transparent, upside down sculptures of flora and fauna—inspired by Wave Hill—from the ceiling over sheets of black-mirrored glass. Visitors see prismatic reflections of the hanging plants and animals in upright positions in the glass. Free with admission to the grounds.

Glyndor Gallery, 2PM

Wed, July 3

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Wed, July 3

Sunset Wednesday: Zephaniah OHora

A pillar of the burgeoning NYC Country-Western music scene, New York City-based singer-songwriter Zephaniah OHora performs his original country songs that takes you back to Bakersfield and the 1960s in Nashville. This Highway, the debut album from the NYC song slinger has been dubbed a "modern classic country masterpiece," earning OHora widespread critical acclaim and appearances at major US and European festivals. Saving Country Music declares his debut album to be "classic country mastery” and in a live review wrote, "Zephaniah OHora live is everything you want him to be like with his record: it’s a completely indefinable, indescribable something-ness that all those old greats had.” Free with admission to the grounds. Special evening admission starts at 4PM. $12 general adult admission; $8 student and seniors 65+; $6 children ages six+. Purchase admission online by 4pm day of event and save $2. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under age six. No guest passes or reciprocal admission accepted.

Thu, July 4

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights on Independence Day. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS – Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–5:30PM, March 15–October 31. Closes 4:30PM, starting November 1.

ADMISSION – $10 adults, $6 students and seniors 65+, $4 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES – Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

  

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

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