New York Restoration Project: Free Gardening Workshops for 2012

In spring, summer and fall of 2012, NYRP will present a series of workshops covering a variety of topics on gardening techniques, environmental trends, healthy living, and dynamic arts and cultural programming in several of our beautiful community gardens. At each interactive workshop, NYRP staff will be joined by knowledgeable experts to share the most up-to-date eco-knowledge and provide you with a unique opportunity to dig in!

Admission to all NYRP progreams are FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC--Please register for the workshops. All are welcome!

The 2012 series includes:

TreeLC Workshops

One million new trees are finding their homes in New York City through the MillionTreesNYC Initiative. These hands-on workshops teach you how to care for trees that live in your garden and neighborhood:

Thursday, March 22 | 10am – 2pm*
Essex Street Community Garden
3030 Fulton Street (at Essex Street), Brooklyn

Thursday, April 5 | 10am – 12pm
Williams Ave Community Garden
88 Williams Avenue, Brooklyn

Thursday, April 19 | 10am –12pm
Infant Jesus Community Garden
36 Aberdeen Street, Brooklyn

Saturday, May 5 | 11am – 1:30pm
Hunts Point on Longfellow Ave., Bronx
between Lafayette and Seneca Ave.

Thursday, May 10 | 10am – 12pm
Hull Street Community Garden
145 Hull Street, Brooklyn

Saturday, May 12 | 11am – 1:30pm
Hunts Point on Bryant Ave., Bronx
between Lafayette and Seneca Ave.

Saturday, May 12 | 11am – 1:30pm**
P.S.M.S. 219, Queens
144-39 Gravett Road

Saturday, May 19 | 11am – 1:30pm
Morissania on Teller Ave., Bronx
between 169th St. and 170th St.

Saturday, May 19 | 11am – 1:30pm**
1071 East Tremont Ave., Bronx


Saturday, May 26 | 11am – 1:30pm
Morissania on Clay Ave. between 169th St. and 170th St., Bronx
Clay Ave. Community Garden located on this street

Saturday, June 9 | 2pm – 2:30pm
Hunts Point Recreation Center
765 Manida St., Bronx
Between 169th St. and 170th St.

Saturday, June 23 | 10am – 2pm*
Mccloed’s Community Garden
130 Liberty Avenue, Brooklyn

*These workshops are in conjuction with a garden workday and will include lunch.
**Register for these workshops by e-mailing events@nyrp.org 
Questions?

For Brooklyn workshops contact John Douglas at 212-333-2552.
For Bronx workshops contact Kimberley Davy at Kimberley.davy@parks.nyc.gov.

http://www.nyrp.org/Calendar_Programs/Free_Garden_Programs_Workshops

11/30/11 79th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting @ Rockefeller Center

 Wednesday, November 30, 2011 from 7:00 to 9:00pm

Rockefeller Center

30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY
Cost: Free

For all ages

The 2011 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be lit for the first time on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 with live and taped performances from 7:00pm to 9:00pm, at Rockefeller Plaza, between West 48th & West 51st Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues, Manhattan.

NBC will celebrate the lighting of the world's most famous Christmas tree with a live broadcast from Rockefeller Center in New York City on television from 8 to 9pm ET. The star-studded holiday special will feature performances by Tony Bennett, Justin Bieber, Michael Buble, Cee Lo Green, Faith Hill, Carole King, Katharine McPhee, Javier Colon and The Radio City Rockettes with a mix of current hits and holiday classics.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a world-wide symbol of the holidays in New York City. The tree, traditionally a Norway Spruce, is illuminated by 30,000 environmentally friendly LED lights on five miles of wire, and crowned by a Swarovski crystal star. This year's tree is 74 feet high, 46 feet in diameter and weighs 10 tons. Tens of thousands crowd the sidewalks for the event and hundreds of millions watch the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony broadcast live across the globe.

http://www.rockefellercenter.com/events/2011/11/30/2011-rockefeller-center-christmas-tree-lighting/

11/28/11 Winter’s Eve Celebration @ Lincoln Square

Monday, November 28, 2011 at 5:30pm, Rain, Snow or Shine!

Location

The celebration begins with a neighborhood tree lighting ceremony at Dante Park at Broadway & 63rd Street and continues along Broadway from Time Warner Center to 68th Street
Subway: 1, A, B, C, D to 59th St./Columbus Circle; 1 to 66th St. & Broadway

Cost: Free

For all ages

The Lincoln Square Business Improvement District and presenting sponsor Time Warner will host the Twelfth Annual Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square on Nov. 28--it's New York City’s largest holiday festival! Winter’s Eve kicks off with a neighborhood tree lighting ceremony with Arlo Guuthrie and features free entertainment, food tastings, in-store activities and shopping around and about this colorful and vibrant neighborhood.

Stores, restaurants, cultural organizations and public spaces in the district will be buzzing with activities for both children and adults. At the same time, sidewalks along Broadway from Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle to 68th Street will be alive with performers, street musicians, jugglers, stilt-walkers and more, making for a festive fun-filled stroll through the streets of this dynamic Upper West Side neighborhood.

http://www.winterseve.org/

Many kids activities to check out:

http://www.winterseve.org/for-kids/

11/25/11 28th Annual Tree Lighting Spectacular @ South Street Seaport

Friday, November 25, 2011
Holiday festivities begin at 6pm
Photo opportunities with Santa Claus until 8pm

South Street Seaport
19 Fulton St. (at Front St.)
New York, NY 10038

(212) 732-8257

Cost: Free

For all ages

The South Street Seaport will ring in the holiday spirit on Friday, November 25th, when the 28th Annual Seaport Chorus Tree Lighting Spectacular lights up the cobblestone streets of the Seaport’s Historic District.

TODAY Show personality and fashion expert Jill Martin will host one of New York City’s most beloved holiday traditions, with a 40-foot tree serving as the centerpiece of a seven-minute “Sparkle at the Seaport” light show spectacular. Festivities will kick-off with performances by the Darren Wallis Jazz Trio and the Soul Tigers Marching Band. All-male barbershop chorus, The Big Apple Chorus, will perform seasonal favorites, and costumed characters will help Santa Claus countdown to the tree lighting ceremony. To round-off the evening, Ronnie Spector will give a special performance, making it a night to remember for the whole family.

http://www.southstreetseaport.com/Tree%20Lighting

* * * * * * * *
Additional Holiday Events

November 25th, 26th and 27th: Big Apple Chorus
December 2nd, 3rd and 4th: Young New Yorkers’ Chorus
December 9th, 10th and 11th: New York City Gay Men’s Chorus
December 16th, 17th and 18th: Cantori New York
December 23rd and 24th: Big Apple Chorus

Chorus Tree Schedule: Fridays: 6pm and 7pm; Saturdays and Sundays 3pm and 4pm

“Sparkle at the Seaport” Light Show Schedule: Monday-Friday: 5pm-10pm, every hour on the hour

http://www.southstreetseaport.com/Holiday

11/9/11 MillionTreesNYC Stewardship Corps Workshop @ Hunter College Elementary School

Wednesday, November 9, 2011 from 5:30 to 7:00pm

Hunter College Elementary School

71 E. 94th Street (between Madison & Park)

New York, NY

Cost: Free (volunteer opportunity)

MillionTreesNYC has planted half a million street trees since its launch. They need your help to keep these trees healthy and green! Attend this tree care workshop and get all the supplies you need to take care of your street trees. Adopt a tree and get your own Stewardship Corps membership card!

Only registered Grow to Learn school gardens may request spring deliveries of soil, compost, and lumber from GreenThumb. Email Andrew Barrett to receive a request form you will need to bring with you to the workshop.

Contact Email: andrew.barrett@parks.nyc.gov

Info & video:

http://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2011/11/09/milliontreesnyc-stewardship-corps-workshop

MillionTreesNYC:

http://www.milliontreesnyc.org/html/home/home.shtml

8/28/11 Holding Pattern: LIC Neighborhood Expo @ Sara D Roosevelt Park

Sunday, August 28, 2011 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm

MoMA PS1
22-25 Jackson Ave. at the intersection of 46th Ave.
Long Island City, NY 11101
(718) 784-2084
Cost: Free. Open to the public!

For all ages

5Pointz Aerosol Art Center, Build it Green, Green Shores NYC, New York Restoration Project, Queens Library, Recycle-A-Bicycle, and Holding Pattern present a day of free educational workshops!

* * * * * * * *

B-Boy Workshop with 5Pointz Aerosol Art Center
1:00pm–4:00pm
Learn essential B-Boy skills with Long Island City's 5Pointz Aerosol Art Center! 5Pointz staff and special guest Lady Pink will teach you everything you need to know!

The Waterfront Comes to the Courtyard with Green Shores NYC and the Long Island City Community Boathouse (LICCB)!
1:00pm–4:00pm
Learn basic water safety and paddling skills and get your photo taken with a LICCB kayak! Green Shores NYC presents the Waterfront Vision Plan for Western Queens and wants to know what your hopes and dreams are for the future of our waterfront with the RIVER OF WISHES arts and crafts project and WATERFRONT DREAMS video project.

Tree Care 201 with New York Restoration Project, Build it Green! NYC, and Brooklyn Shade
1:00pm–4:00pm
New York Restoration Project teams up with Build it Green! NYC and Brooklyn Shade to build tree guards from salvaged materials. You will learn how easy and effective these tree guards are! Also, join NYRP in the courtyard for seed giveaways, raffle prizes, and to learn how you can do your part to help green your neighborhood in NYC.

MoMA PS1 Artists Read to Kids with The Queens Library
1:00pm–2:30pm
Come listen to artists and curators from MoMA PS1 read their favorite childrens' books, and hear how these books influenced their work. Come to the event and you can also sign up for a library card, sign up to be a summer reader, and learn about free programs and services offered at Queens Library.

Fix-A-Flat with Recycle-A-Bicycle
1:00pm–4:00pm
In this fun and interactive workshop, teens and adults will learn how to fix a flat tire on their bicycle. The session will be led by a bike tech from Recycle-A-Bicycle. All necessary tools and supplies for the program will be provided. All are welcome; no previous experience necessary.

http://ps1.org/calendar/view/315

11/26/10 Tree Lighting Spectacular @ South Street Seaport

Friday, November 26, 2010 at 6:00pm

South Street Seaport

Fulton & South Streets/Pier 17

New York, New York 10038

212-SEA-PORT

Cost: Free

For all ages

On Friday, November 26, 2010, The Seaport will kick-off the 2010 holiday season with a holiday spectacular and New York City’s first tree lighting of the year.

Hosted by three-time Emmy-Nominated television personality Jill Martin, the 27th Annual Seaport Chorus Tree Lighting will begin at 6:00pm on The Seaport’s historic cobblestone streets. There, guests will enjoy a number of seasonal delights including performances at the Chorus Tree stage by the Elves of Heaven featuring Corinne Caouette, excerpts from A Christmas Carol by the Pace University Department of Performing Arts, and legendary vocalist Darlene Love singing her signature holiday classic, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”.

The Seaport will then welcome Santa Claus for his 22nd consecutive year, making him one of the city’s longest-running Santas at any one location, as he parades down Front Street. Santa will be joined by the Big Apple Circus, both The Soul Tigers and Neptune High School Marching Bands, and favorite costumed characters, including Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman and Santa’s elves.

Then Santa and his friends will count down to the lighting of a 55ft. Norway Spruce, which will be illuminated by 10,000 eco-friendly, LED lights, followed by a full range of holiday hits performed by The Big Apple Chorus.

“We’re pleased to bring the holiday season and spirit to the downtown community for the 27th year,” said Michael Piazzola, General Manager for the South Street Seaport. “The annual holiday parade, tree lighting, music performances and appearance by Santa (22 years and counting!) have become a staple for downtown Manhattan. It is truly an honor to bring such joy and excitement to our community.”

Santa will be available for complimentary photos immediately after the lighting until 8:00. For additional information call 212-SEA-PORT or log on to www.TheNewSeaport.com.

http://www.southstreetseaport.com/events/tree-lighting-spectacular

5/1/10 + 6/12/10 Million TreesNYC: A Tree Care Workshop

Million TreesNYC is planting trees all over New York City including Queens. You can help keep NYC GREEN! Attend a stewardship workshop and learn from a forester: 

* What is MillionTreesNYC ?

* How to identify trees in New York City 

* Benefits of trees 

* Tree care—Water! Weed! Mulch! 

Pledge to take care of a specific street tree (be prepared to give the exact location) and receive a FREE watering kit and volunteer card.

Admission is free.  www.queenslibrary.org  

MillionTreesNYC Stewardship Corps is a citizen-based program channeling the power of volunteerism to urban tree care.  Under this umbrella, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Greenbelt Conservancy, GreenThumb, Partnerships for Parks, Queens Botanical Garden, New York Botanical Garden and Trees New York engage everyday New Yorkers in greening their streets by providing accessible, no-cost tree care and community organizing training.

Queens Library is an independent, not-for-profit corporation and is not affiliated with any other library system. 

Saturday, May 1 at 2:00 p.m. 

Central Library 

89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica, NY

(718) 990-0700 

Train: F to 169 Street 

Library Hours: Sat. 10–5:30

Saturday, June 12 at 1:30 p.m. 

Woodside Library

54-22 Skillman Avenue 

(718) 429-4700 

Train: 7 to 52nd St Station 

Bus: Q18, Q32, Q60 

Library Hours: Sat. 10–5:30

http://www.queenslibrary.org/UserFiles/event_pdf/008158-03-10_8158web.pdf 

4/24/10 APEC Arbor Day Celebration: Plant a Tree! @ Alley Pond Park

Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 10:00 am

Alley Pond Environmental Center
228-06 Northern Boulevard
Douglaston , NY 11363
(718) 229-4000 x202
Cost: Free, but registration is required
For all ages 

Come celebrate the Earth through ACTION! Help plant trees and shrubs in Alley Pond Park. With each tree planted we will improve air quality, provide homes and shelter for wildlife, conserve topsoil and help keep the atmosphere in balance. Planting trees allows us to give something back to the planet that gives us so much.

This event is open to all that would like to participate and is great for Scout Troops. Each participant is asked to bring a native shrub (that will provide food and ground cover for some of our native animals), work gloves, sturdy shoes and clothing that is weather appropriate. Trees will be provided. Tree planting will take place rain or shine! Call APEC at extension 202 for information and to register.

http://www.alleypond.com/events.htm#Special_Events 

1/9/10 + 1/10/09 Mulchfest @ NY Parks

Saturday, January 9 and Sunday, January 10, 2010 from 10:00am to 2:00pm

Chip in! Mulch your tree! Help NYC grow!

Bring your holiday tree to a designated city park to be recycled into mulch that will nourish plantings across the city! Remember to remove all lights and ornaments before bringing the tree to a MulchFest site. You are encouraged to bring bags to take advantage of the free mulch provided at sites marked with an asterisk (*)—go to link below.

For locations in all 5 boroughs, go to:

http://www.nycgovparks.org/services/mulchfest/mulchfest.html#top

Want to volunteer at MulchFest? Register to join the GreenTeam and MillionTreesNYC volunteer group.

12/13/09 Annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Caroling Celebration @ Carl Schurz Park

Sunday, December 13, 2009 from 5pm–6pm

Carl Schurz Park
East 86th St (at East End Avenue)
New York, NY

(212) 459-4455
Subway: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St
Cost: Free

For all ages

At this outdoor gathering, your family can watch the park’s tree light up; indulge in hot chocolate, cookies and candy canes; and fa-la-la along with the 50-voice Young People’s Chorus of NYC as they sing both traditional carols and new arrangements of old favorites. The Orbital Brass Quintet will perform also.

Sponsored by the CARL SCHURZ PARK CONSERVANCY as a special year-end gift to the community.

http://www.carlschurzparknyc.org/events.html

12/2/09 Tree Lighting Ceremony @ Rockefeller Center

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 from 7pm to 9pm

Rockefeller Center

30 Rockefeller Plaza (betw 49th and 50th Sts)

New York, New York, 10112
(212) 332-7654

Subway: B, D, F, V to 47–50th Sts–Rockefeller Ctr

Cost: Free

For all ages

The 2009 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree will be illuminated for the first time this holiday season on Wednesday, December 2, 2009, with performances from 7:00 to 9:00pm. The two-hour long program features various celebrity appearances and a star-studded musical lineup. 

The tree will be lit daily from 5:30am-11:30pm; all day on Christmas (24 hours); and from 5:30am to 9pm on New Year’s Eve. The world’s most famous Tree will be on display until January 7th, 2010.

http://www.rockefellercenter.com/index.php/section/5#/5/-1/-1/86/

11/30/09 Winter’s Eve Celebration @ Lincoln Square

On Monday, November 30, 2009 the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District and presenting sponsor Time Warner will host the Tenth Annual Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square–New York City’s largest holiday festival!

Winter’s Eve kicks off with a neighborhood tree lighting ceremony and features free entertainment, food tastings, in-store activities and shopping around and about this colorful and vibrant neighborhood. Stores, restaurants, cultural organizations and public spaces in the district will be buzzing with activities for both children and adults. 

At the same time, sidewalks along Broadway from Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle to 68th Street will be alive with performers, street musicians, jugglers, stilt-walkers and more, making for a festive fun-filled stroll through the streets of this dynamic Upper West Side neighborhood.

When: Monday, November 30, 2009, 5:30pm

Where: The celebration begins with a neighborhood tree lighting ceremony at Dante Park—Broadway & 63rd Street! Festivities continue along Broadway from Time Warner Center to 68th Street.

By Subway: 1, A, B, C, D train to 59th Street/Columbus Circle or the 1 train to 66th Street and Broadway.

For more info, call (212) 581-3774 or email info@lincolnsquarebid.org for more info or to learn how to get involved.

Food Drive: Bring a canned food donation to the City Harvest truck at 63rd and Broadway and support NYC’ only food-rescue organization!

Free Winter’s Eve Raffle: Win fantastic prizes from some of Lincoln Square’s finest establishments. Enter at two locations: Information tent at Dante Park (Broadway and 63rd Street) and Concierge desk at Time Warner Center. 

Go to website for more details, list of participants, activities and wonderful special offers (store discounts, snacks, complimentary facials/massages, gym passes, etc.):

http://www.winterseve.org/

11/27/09 South Street Seaport Tree Lighting Ceremony

Friday, November 27 at 6:00pm

South Street Seaport

Fulton St at South St

New York, NY

(212) 732-7678

Attend one of the first major tree lightings of the season and watch the 50-foot Douglas fir light up the cobblestone streets. Then you can “Deck the Halls” at the docks as the Big Apple Chorus, a group of barbershop doo-woppers, harmonize holiday carols.

The Big Apple Chorus performs every Fri at 6 and 7pm; Sat, Sun at 3 and 4pm. Through Dec. 27.

http://www.southstreetseaport.com/Events/Chorus-Tree-Lighting-and-Holiday-Festivities

12/6/09–12/19/09 Young People’s Chorus of New York City Celebrates the Holiday Season with Two Weeks of Yuletide Concerts

The Yuletide season in New York is a magical place, filled with the sights, sounds, and scents that fill the holiday dreams of children of all ages. This year the Young People’s Chorus of New York City™ will give six New York City performances beginning December 6 with their annual winter concert at the 92nd Street Y and concluding with three performances at Carnegie Hall with The New York Pops, including The Polar Express Family Concert on December 19.  In between, YPC will make a holiday trip abroad for their first performances in Switzerland, where they will join the Geneva Chamber Orchestra conducted by Tania Leon in opening the Swiss government’s United Nations ceremonies at Geneva Cathedral followed by a holiday performance at Victoria Hall, which will be taped for Christmas Eve broadcast on Swiss radio.

YPC Featured on Two New Dora the Explorer Holiday Releases

YPC recently recorded a special version of the Dora the Explorer theme song, which is featured on two new Dora the Explorer holiday releases—“Dora’s Christmas Carol Adventure” DVD and “Dora’s Christmas” CD.  The all-new feature-length DVD, created by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment, is available November 3, and the companion CD, from Nickelodeon and  Sony Music is currently available in stores nationwide and on iTunes. In addition, YPC’s acclaimed holiday CD, “The CoolSide of Yuletide,” with updated versions of holiday favorites and a special guest performance by Rosanne Cash, is available from the YPC store at http://ypc.org/store/

The YPC’s New York City holiday concerts are:

Sunday, December 6 at 7 pm

“Songs of the Season”

92nd Street Y (at Lexington Avenue)

The Young People’s Chorus of New York City™ kicks off the holiday season with the 13th annual “Songs of the Season” concert.  Each of the YPC’s five divisions will be spotlighted in this family evening of good cheer and festive programming, including songs from the YPC’s CoolSide of Yuletide CD. 

Tickets are $15, $25, and $50.  For tickets and information call the 92nd Street Y box office at 212-415-5500.

Sunday, December 13, from 5 to 6 pm

Carl Schurz Park Treelighting

East End Avenue and 86th Street

In an outdoor gathering of holiday cheer to celebrate the season and light the Carl Schurz Park Christmas tree, YPC choristers will sing carols from several parts of the world plus new arrangements of holiday favorites, as audience members warm themselves with hot chocolate, cookies, and candy canes. The event comes to a warmhearted close with everyone caroling together in the candlelight. 

Admission is free.  Come one; come all. 

Thursday, December 17 at 7 pm

“City Singing at Christmas”

St. Patrick’s Cathedral (Fifth Avenue and 51st Street)

YPC returns to St. Patrick’s Cathedral for the cathedral’s 30th annual “City Singing at Christmas” concert, which also features the Cathedral of St. Patrick Choir, Schola Cantorum on Hudson, and the Cathedral organs in an evening of inspirational and uplifting hymns and carols.

Admission is free. Audience members are advised to arrive early for best seats. For more information, call 212-753-2261, Ext. 274

Friday and Saturday, December 18 and 19, at 8 pm

“Celebrate the Holidays with Sandi Patti”

Carnegie Hall

Five-time Grammy Award-winning gospel singer Sandi Patti and the New York Pops guest-conducted by John Morris Russell welcome the Young People’s Chorus of New York City™ directed by Francisco J. Núñez in a festive program of seasonal favorites.  

Tickets and information are available from CarnegieCharge 212-247-7800 or the Carnegie Hall Web site at www.carnegiehall.org

Saturday, December 19 at 2 pm

The Polar Express Family Concert

Carnegie Hall

The New York Pops and conductor John Morris Russell are joined by the YPC in the beloved children’s tale, The Polar Express, narrated by John Tartaglia of the Tony Award-winning Avenue Q. The concert will also feature other holiday favorites.

Pre-concert activities take place one hour before the performance and are free to all ticket-holders.  Ticket prices begin at $9 and are available at the Carnegie Hall box office, from CarnegieCharge at 212 247-7800, or from www.carnegiehall.org.

About Young People’s Chorus of New York City™

For more than two decades, the Young People’s Chorus of New York City™ under Founder and Artistic Director Francisco J. Núñez has provided children of diverse abilities and ethnic backgrounds with a unique program of music education and choral performance, while maintaining a model of artistic excellence and harmony that enriches the community. In the process, YPC has become one of the most celebrated and influential children’s choruses today, performing around the globe, releasing acclaimed recordings from across the musical spectrum, collaborating with many of the world’s most highly regarded composers, performers, and institutions; and commissioning new works through their celebrated Transient Glory® series.  More than 1,100 young people participate annually through the chorus’s core after-school program, its Satellite program in New York City schools, and through its national affiliates in Erie, Pennsylvania and Tenafly, New Jersey.  The award-winning chorus is in residence at three of NYC’s major cultural institutions—the 92nd Street Y, Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center; and WNYC, New York Public Radio—and is frequently seen on national television, including PBS-TV’s “From the Top at Carnegie Hall.”

http://ypc.org/

12/06/09, 12/13/09, 12/17/09, 12/18/09, 12/19/09