(task) Free Rockaway Dance Party on Friday June 26 Celebrates Caribbean History, Resilient Rockaway Recovery

Rockaway RN Canarsie RN

4 cover

resilience

> Begin forwarded message:
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> Date: June 9, 2015 at 9:37:02 AM EDT
> Subject: Free Rockaway Dance Party on Friday June 26 Celebrates Caribbean History, Resilient Rockaway Recovery
> From: Dan Miner <beyondoilnyc@gmail.com>
> To: Transition NYC Hub <transition.nyc.hub@gmail.com>, Dan Miner <beyondoilnyc@gmail.com>
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> Contact: Dan Miner, Transition NYC, 917-319-2924, beyondoilnyc@gmail.com <mailto:beyondoilnyc@gmail.com>
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> Free Rockaway Dance Party on Friday June 26 Celebrates Caribbean History, Resilient Rockaway Recovery
> Transition environmental movement and Rockaway recovery activists celebrate Caribbean heritage with reggae, soca & calypso
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> Press Release Attached
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> Event Location: Seagirt Adult Social Center, 2028 Seagirt Boulevard, Far Rockaway, Queens, NY, 11691
> Friday, June 26, 7:00-10:00 PM
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> FAR ROCKAWAYS, QUEENS, NY – The Transition Towns Mid-Atlantic environment network, and New York metro area permaculture advocates celebrate National Caribbean American Month in Far Rockaway, Queens. A reggae, soca, calypso “dutch” dance party celebrates the history and extraordinary contribution of residents from the Caribbean to Rockaway’s resilience and vibrant cultural heritage. Music, dance, a potluck of national dishes from the Caribbean, and tributes to the legacy of Caribbean Americans who have strengthened the fabric of the United States for generations are sure to inspire. The event is hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Transition Hub (MATH) in partnership with Far Rockaway residents and is free of charge.
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> The Mid-Atlantic Transition Hub (MATH) also honors the contributions, courage, and resilience of Far Rockaway’s local Caribbean community to Superstorm Sandy recovery. These steadfast local activists set an example for coastal communities and cities throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. As climate change accelerates, extreme weather events will become more frequent. Rockaway residents’ commitment to recovery using the Transition Neighborhoods process is an example for all hurricane-exposed Mid-Atlantic communities. Infusion of the spirit and unique talents of the local Caribbean community through the Transition Neighborhoods and permaculture processes of Rockaway “placemaking” as residents move their neighborhoods from fossil-fuel dependence toward resilience, is essential.
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> Far Rockaway placemaking, an approach to residents’ collective planning, designing and managing of their community spaces, builds on local culture and assets with the goal of creating shared spaces that promote community health, happiness, and well-being.
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> Opening Event for the Rockaway 4th Annual Health Fair and Transition Convergence
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> The Caribbean Heritage Celebration is the opening event for the Rockaway 4th Annual Community Health Fair and Transition Convergence the following day, June 27, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, 454 Beach 67th Street, Arverne, NY 11692.
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> Community Services of Far Rockaway at Battalion Pentecostal Assembly, a leader in post-Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts, the Mid- Atlantic Transition Hub (MATH), Transition NYC, and the Canary Project, are partnering to produce the Convergence. There is no charge. The Convergence will promote local climate change resilience, health, community-building, neighborhood food security and production, renewable energy, energy conservation, and creative waterfront restoration. Health resources will include: free blood pressure screening; glucose, spinal and HIV testing, complemented by herbal medicine, soap and cosmetic product exhibitors and Zumba class. Free lunch will be provided for Rockaway residents while supplies last. Enjoy great food, music, fun and learning activities for the entire family.
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> The Convergence will feature a Canary Project art exhibition: Re-Claimed: Stories from the Storm; Recovery and Re-Building Life in the Rockaways. This is an exhibition of poignant stories, objects and images of what was lost in the storm and was gained in the aftermath as told by the people of the Arverne neighborhood of the Rockaways. Transition presentations and exhibits include: urban agriculture, contaminated soil remediation, food preservation and water catchment systems. Resilience resources featured are ham radio systems for emergency communications, NYC Emergency Management’s Community Emergency Response Team, NY State and National Grid’s energy conservation and solar programs; green jobs training programs; advocates for bicycling, composting, beekeeping, chicken husbandry, and aquaponics. Rockaway initiatives will include Ocean Bay Community Development Corporation and local activist groups. Guests may participate with Rockaway Seedball advocates in exciting waterfront restoration by spreading mudballs containing seeds of native vegetation to replant and stabilize sand dunes. Families and children will enjoy a host of activities, music and cultural performances reflecting Rockaway's diverse communities.
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> Permaculture is a creative design process based on whole-systems thinking that applies ethics and design principles to agriculture (high-yield, chemical free landscape and garden design) and community planning. The Mid-Atlantic Transition Hub (MATH) initiated permaculture and small space urban agriculture projects in Far Rockaway this spring that will be showcased during the Convergence and will continue under the guidance of residents, area permaculturists, and a Transition Far Rockaway group.
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> Transition Neighborhoods: grassroots, neighbor-led community organizing
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> The Transition movement is a neighbor-led community organizing response to climate change, resource depletion and financial instability, with over 1,100 local initiatives in 44 countries and over 150 in the US. It starts with a series of small group meetings. The Transition Neighborhoods process, adapted to the specific needs of NYC and other urban communities, invites neighbors to strengthen their sense of place, build relationships as they map their neighborhood's current state of resiliency, looking at food, energy, water, waste, consumption and transportation. The goal is to proactively move communities away from reliance on fossil fuels, toward a much more resilient, improved quality of life.
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> See attached press release.