The local paper for the Upper East Side BEAUTY, STRENGTH AND PROMISE ◄ P.12
MOMS WITH A MISSION
EDUCATION
They’ve got an ambitious plan to help Manhattan students who struggle with a learning disability BY JASON COHEN
Emily Hellstrom, Akeela Azcuy, Ph.D., and Jeannine Kiely (l to r). Photo: Courtesy of Akeela Azcuy
A group of moms hope to start a school for dyslexic children in Manhattan. They applied to the Depart-
ment of Education (DOE) to open a school for kids with the learning disability in November. They made it through the early steps and last week were among several groups who participated in a DOE workshop to help them develop their plans. “It was really an exciting day all around for all of the teams,” said Emily Hellstrom, who serves on the board of Community Education Coun-
cil District 2 and is chair of the Students with Disabilities Committee. “It was really about supporting all the groups equally.” More DOE workshops are planned for February and March. Working with Hellstrom on the dyslexia proposal are Akeela Azcuy, a psychologist, Ruth Genn, an education leader and nonprofit execu-
Hundreds pack Harlem neighborhood forum to discuss public safety, youth engagement following the death of Tessa Majors. BY EMILY HIGGINBOTHAM
Residents of Upper Manhattan came together last week to discuss how the community can move forward following the December stabbing death of first year Barnard College student Tessa Majors. The max capacity crowd packed the Police Athletic
OURTOWNNY.COM @OurTownNYC
FIGURING OUT HOW TO FIGHT THE CORONAVIRUS
The Wuhan flu from China is declared an international emergency. p. 5
That's still the big question after Andy "Train Daddy" Byford’s departure. p. 6
CAN BEN SMITH FILL DAVID CARR’S SHOES?
BuzzFeed editor joins NY Times. p. 8
Students talked about programs they would like to see the community put into place. Photo: Emily Higginbotham WEEK OF AUGUST
08-14
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WHO RUNS THE TRANSIT SYSTEM?
club in Harlem for the forum — which was organized by Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer’s office and Friends of Morningside Park — and listened to updates from city and neighborhood leaders before breaking out into smaller groups to talk about what they would like to see implemented in the community. The evening’s conversation produced a variety of answers to two primary questions: How can Morningside Park be a safe place for residents? And, what can be done to engage young people in the
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6-12 2020
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COMING TOGETHER AFTER TRAGEDY COMMUNITY
WEEK OF FEBRUARY
Crime Watch Voices NYC Now City Arts
3 8 10 12
Restaurant Ratings 14 Real Estate 17 15 Minutes 21
2019
‘MY HANDS ARE OUTSTRETCHED’ P. 19
f d h e s, p gs ng st ts alng ish ass eel
◄ 15 MINUTES,
Eastsider INSIDE
SUTTON PARK,
AT LAST
just For East Side residents, major having access is a accomplishment. p.5
chair of the City Ydanis Rodriguez, committee, Council’s transportation street s afety on speaks at a rally for steps of City Hall legislation on the McCarten/NYC May 8. Photo: John Council
IS VISION ZERO WORKING? SAFETY
has seen a surge Five years in, NYC fluctuating and in cyclist deaths – and motorist numbers of pedestrian fatalities BY EMILY HIGGINBOTHAM
year that saw 299 In 2014, after a traffic-related incipeople killed in Mayor Bill de Bladents in the city, eliminate all traffic sio set out to
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6
WOODSTOCK SOJOURN an NYPD judge recommend at City Hall after Photography Office holds a press conference Appleton/Mayoral Mayor Bill de Blasio 2019. Photo: Michael Friday, August 2,
firing Officer Daniel
Pantaleo on
THE BILLY AND GILLY SHOW
Kamala HarWarren, Cory Booker, and Bernie debates,” longris, Amy Klobuchar for the September Pete strategist George Sanders, South Bend Mayor time Democratic doesn’t have former Texas Rep. Artz says. “De Blasioare way down Buttigieg and both Beto O’Rourke. the donors, and close, but none of A few others are in the polls.” Hank Sheinde Blasio or GilliPolitical consultant that either them are named kopf says it’s “50-50” “Any- brand. returned reBY STUART MARQUES will make the next round: Neither campaign but they’re not quests for comment. thing can happen, agree that Warde Blasio faced to qualify.” Pundits generally When Mayor Bill held off the more Gillibrand – likely a minimum of Candidates need to ren and Sanderson the first night. off with Sen. Kirsten Democratic presi- 130,000 unique donors and have moderate field and eight other in four qualigot high marks on – on July 31, it Booker and Yang and hit at least 2 percent dential hopefuls the last Billy candidates have the second night, but Biden a might have marked presidential fying polls. Eight the polls. and are assured at the are still ahead in hit those marks and Gilly Show largely igon Sept. 12 Harris Gillibrand Houston and in De Blasio debates. ei- spot onstage Presiawful tough for are former Vice 18 “It’s going to be and and 13. They Senators Elizabeth CONTINUED ON PAGE get the donors dent Joe Biden, ther of them to needed to qualify polling numbers”
POLITICS
dim for Presidential prospects Democratic New Yorkers on the debate stage
C i e Watch
Jewish women and girls light up the world by lighting the Shabbat candles every Friday evening 18 minutes before sunset. Friday, February 7 – 5:03 pm. For more information visit www.chabbaduppereastside.com.
3
14 Restaurant Ratings 16
day Jon Friedman on a 8 love and music. p.
of peace,
SURVIVNG YOUR SUMMER COLD
seasonal How to deal with thefeel worse virus that makes usp. 2 than a winter bug.
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