Sun Kulcha

Saturday, Feburary 2

Cash for guns: Turn in an operable handgun and receive cash. Sponsors: Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes, Council Member Letitia James and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. Church of the Open Door, 201 Gold St. from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

tax prep: Ridgewood Savings Bank will be hosting ARVIA’s free tax preparation days in the Bronx. Bronx residents are eligible for free tax filing if they are single with no dependents and earn less than $25,000 or file with dependents and earn less than $50,000. Since space is limited, qualifying taxpayers must call the branch that is hosting the session in advance to schedule an appointment. 9:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Held at the bank’s Jerome Avenue branch – 3445 Jerome Avenue; (718) 881-3430.

Cultural celebration: in celebration of Black History Month, The People of the Sun Middle Passage Collective, MEC Student Government Association, MEC Office of Student Life, and the Sons & Daughters of Jamaica will hold a cultural celebration that will include remembering Medgar Wiley Evers on the 50th anniversary year of his assassination. Topic: “How Relevant is Marcus Garvey’s Philosophy Today?” Keynote Speaker: Jay W. Richards, activist, Garveyite, and motivational speaker. Come join us for a thought-provoking documentary, poetry reading, cultural presentations, fashion show with fashions by Osun and surprise artists. Free admission: This event will be held at the Medgar Evers College Auditorium at 1650 Bedford Street and will run from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Contact: Akeem @ 718-270-4902 or @ [email protected] or Jose @718-712-5034 for further information.

Sunday, Feburary 3

Macy’s Storytelling: Every year, Staten Island Chuck gets nervous because so many people expect him to predict the weather! To make matters worse, his rival Punxsutawney Phil disagrees with him—What if he’s wrong? Join us at 11:30am for Staten Island Chuck’s Big Day, a heartwarming tale about self-confidence and friendship—created exclusively for Macy’s Sunday Story Time by one of our educators! Recommended for ages 4-7. New York Historical Society 170 Central Park West between West 76th and West 77th Streets.

macy’s Storytelling: Imagine going for a stroll through Chinatown—what would you see, smell, and hear? Share your favorite things about Chinatown and Gung hay fat choy! That means “Happy New Year!” in Chinese. Chinatown by William Low Recommended for ages 4-7. New York Historical Society 170 Central Park West between West 76th and West 77th streets

Wednesday, Feburary 6

Black History month: Health and Wellness in Black Communities” is the theme of New York City College of Technology’s (City Tech’s) celebration of Black History Month. Join us for “Healing stories and Proverbs from the Africana World” at the Student Lounge-Ground Floor, Atrium Building. Storytelling and a lecture by African American Studies faculty member Annie Mundeke. She will emphasize how storytelling and proverbs from the Africana World have served as critical vehicles for healing and wellness for people of African descent. 300 Jay Street in Downtown Brooklyn.

Thursday, feburary 7

Cross-Stitch Circle: Drop in to try your skills at one of the oldest forms of embroidery in the world from 4:30 -6:30pm. Beginning cross stitchers will learn the basic stitch and create a bookmark with their new skill. More seasoned stitchers can continue working on their bookmark or branch into more complicated designs – make a handcrafted gift for someone! This program is designed for kids who are at least six years old. Younger kids may also enjoy coming along and contributing to our community weaving using recycled fabrics and ribbons.

MAcy’s salutes black History: Join us “ In Conversation” with actors Malik Yoba, Omari Hardwick and actress Malinda Williams for a discussion on Gordon Park’s influence on film and the future of African American cinema. Enjoy light refreshments following the discussion. With any $50 or more purchase made during the event, receive a commerative Gordon Parks journal. The event begins at 6pm on the 9th floor Furniture of Macy’ s Herald Square.

Friday, Feburary 8

Little- New Yorkers: Free with Museum Admission, for ages 3-5. Every Tuesday and Friday! Each class will include time with historic toys, a special Little New-Yorkers hello song, story readings, and a related craft project. New York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West between West 76th and West 77th streets.

Saturday, feburary 9

Chinese new year celebration: Chinese New Year returns to Pelham Art Center on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, with family- friendly activities commemorating the beginning of the Year of the Snake on Feb. 10! From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., local artist Lisa Yang Zimmerman will lead a paper-craft workshop, in which participants will create a festive snake puppet. At 2:30 p.m., members of Kwan’s Kung Fu Studio in Peekskill will perform a traditional Lion Dance, believed in Chinese culture to scare away evil spirits and to bring good luck. As part of our Folk Arts Series, this event is free and open to all ages. 155 Fifth Avenue, Pelham, N..Y 10803, 914-738-2525, [email protected].

SUNday, Feburary 10

artist talk: DC Optics presents “Artist Talks” 390 Myrtle Ave. (between Vanderbilt and Clemont Aves.) 6:00 p.m.

OnGOING

Immigration services: Free immigration services. Wednesdays 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 67 Hanson Place, Office of Coucil Member James. Call (718) 260-9191.

January 12 – Feburary 9

Self-Defense coURses: Five-week course combines physical and verbal self-defense skills with discussions on safety, prevention and violence de-escalation. FREE to survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault, and is offered on a sliding scale based on income for everyone else. Free childcare is also available. This course runs Saturdays, 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. Center for Anti-violence Education, 327 7th St., Park Slope, Brooklyn, N.Y. (corner of 5th Ave.) Call or email today to sign up (718) 788-1775 and or [email protected].

Donations: St. Robert Bellarmine Church is joining efforts with the Dioceses of Trenton to bring relief to victims in the hardest hit areas. The church has organized a sorting sub station in the parish and will be delivering donations to various locations shortly. The church is seeking donations of cardboard shipping boxes for packing or rubber bins for storage for victims. Donations are tax deductible and the church will provide you with a receipt upon request. Feel free to contact St. Robert Bellarmine Church at any time Attn: SRB Hurricane Relief Effort, 61 Georgia Rd., Freehold, NJ 07728 or [email protected], Pam Stengel (732) 580-0075, Linda Altini (917) 578-4852. Phone: (732) 462-7429 or Fax: (732) 409-3496.

Queens Sickle Cell: The Queens Sickle Cell Advocacy Network, 207-08 Hollis Ave., Queens Village, N.Y., presents a Parent to Parent Support Group meeting every first Monday of every month, 7:00 p.m. For directions and registration, call (718) 712-0873 or email [email protected].

Fairway Market Shuttle: Fairway Market is now offering a free group shuttle bus to its Red Hook, Brooklyn store at 480-500 Van Brunt St., Mondays thru Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. For pick-up reservations for groups of 10 or more, within a five-mile radius of the store, call Viola Williams or Marcy Rosenblum at (347) 750-1251. There will also be pickups on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at 589 Prospect Ave., between 11 and 10 avenues. All seniors get a five percent discount in the store. Each group will have an hour and a half to shop and/or enjoy a bite to eat in the picturesque cafe by the waterfront.

Farmers Market: Seeds in the Middle is sponsoring The Crown Heights Farmers Market offering fresh fruits and vegetables, including calaloo and Caribbean favorites and accepting EBT, WIC, Snap, FMNP, Health Bucks, and Fresh Connect. The market will be operating every Thursday from 12 noon to 7:00 p.m. at Hamilton Metz Park at Albany and Lefferts avenues, Brooklyn. For more information, visit www.seedsinthemiddle.org.

Computer Training: Mount Carmel Worship and Outreach Center is holding adult and children computer training programs, 10:30 a.m 12:30 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Call (917) 609-0909 for registration details.

Reverse Mortgage Counseling: Are you a senior homeowner struggling to make ends meet? A reverse mortgage may be an answer. NHS can help determine if this is the best option for you. All programs discussed are backed by the federal government. For information, call (718) 469-4679.

Foreclosure Services: Are you behind in your mortgage or seeking a modification? The Flatbush Development Vcorp, NHS of East Flatbush and the Center for N.Y.C. Neighborhoods are offering free services and assistance. Referrals for free legal assistance are also available. To schedule an appointment, call (718) 469-4679.

Home Improvement: Did your roof collapse? Does your brolier need replacement? Do you need major repairs done but lack the finances? NHS of East Flatbush can assist you. For information on home improvement programs, call (718)469-4679.

Compiled by Natalie Y. Henry