Category: NY News

NY News

Is Manhattan Bidding Bye-Bye to Homework?

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homeworkHistorically, homework has been a burden on parents as much as children. But now, if a school in Manhattan has anything to do with it, “homework” will take on a whole new meaning and become something both kids and parents enjoy and may even take benefit from.

PS 116 Elementary in Kips Bay is creating new homework options for its kids that include reading and family time. One parent says she thinks it’s “a great idea.” Others have said that it’s difficult for kids to study for eight hours at school and then come home to do homework for three more. This sentiment was echoed by Principal Jane Hsu who explained that this policy was:

creating opportunities for students and their families to engage in activities that research has proven to benefit academics and social-emotional success.

The only concern is that kids won’t be able to do this. One parent for example explained that her kids are so hooked on video games, getting them to read or engage in family time, just wouldn’t be realistic.

Still, it’s a nice idea.

NY News

Canine Café?

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dog-220373_1280It’s not always so easy to have a dog in midtown Manhattan. Indeed, cities in general are a more challenging environment in which to house a pet. But for dog lovers in the area, there may soon be a solution. Maggie Chan and Mandy Chow are two 24-year old women who are hoping to get their Indiegogo campaign to raise $75,000 to build the Dog Café – a doggie playground and café for humans to match up New Yorkers with adoptable shelter dogs.

For those who just want to hang out with a dog and not adopt it, the café provides them a service too. The two women thought the lower east side’s Cat Café was pretty cool and based their idea on that. Their idea is a large indoor space in the area that will offer pet-sitting services, as well as give dogs the opportunity for playdates. New York shelters could then send in dogs that café-goers might be interested in adopting, getting to know them at the café before bringing them home. There are currently numerous abandoned dogs looking for homes in the city. As well this could help solve the city’s stray dog issue, by getting these dogs adopted too.

So just because you’re in Manhattan might not mean you to have to ditch your love for your canine companion.

NY News

New York: Recent College Expansions

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gatesThanks to a hefty donation from Thomas and Mary Alice O’Malley, Manhattan College was able to dedicate a $45m Raymond W. Kelly ’63 Student Commons building on its Bronx campus. O’Malley was a classmate of Ray Kelly and following graduation, both became army officers.

The successful O’Malley – who made his fortune in the oil-refining industry – donated $10m to the building. In addition, he was a major player in the rest of the building’s fundraising. Thanks to the new 70,000 sq. ft. building, Manhattan College’s north and south campuses are now connected.

The ceremony of the dedication was attended by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and president of the college, Brennan O’Donnell.

Meanwhile in Ithaca, another building dedication was taking place thanks to the generosity of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Cornell University is to be getting a new building for Computing and Information Science that will be named for him. Gates’ foundation gave $25m to the project that cost $60m.

Attending the ceremony were Bill Gates, David Skorton, University President and Haym Hirsh, Dean of Computing and Information Science.

NY News

Church Renovations and Expansion

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church-revovationsThe Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church is getting a residential addition built on. It has been what the Upper West Side congregation has wanted for a while and just last week it was approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

The original church was constructed back in 1893 by Newark’s architect, John F. Capen in a Romanesque Revival style. Now, with these updates, residents will be able to purchase units in a seven floor building. There will be between 7 and 10 units with duplex levels on the top two floors. The church will have a separate entrance.

As well as the new building, there will be repairs to the current one, such as repairs of stained glass windows, refurbishment of poor water drainage, etc. The poor building structure had been having such a negative impact on the atmosphere in the church that many regular churchgoers started leaving. Involved in the process is a three-decade-working church pastor. This was a real shame since the church used to be a true place of church activity.

The hope now is that the structure located on 81st Street between Amsterdam and Columbus will return to its original grandeur, but for the 21st century.

NY News

Post Office Named for Hero

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uspsnycThe House of Representatives recently passed a bill that has made one little girl in Manhattan very happy. The post office – located in Inwood at 90 Vermilyea Avenue – will soon become known as the Corp. Juan Mariel Alcantara Post Office Building, in memory of Yelayni’s father, Juan Mariel Alcantara. He was killed in Iraq in 2007, at the tender age of 22. He never got to meet his daughter, who is now 7 years old.

His family feels that this tribute will ensure he “will live forever. He gave his life for his country. People will know who he was, what he did for the country.”

Alcantara was the 12th noncitizen soldier from Manhattan to die in Iraq.