Self congratulations

What do you do to be involved in the community?

Do you really believe in a humble brag? Really?

I love that it’s for “yard waste.” I mean, here in New York City

When my friend J told me she was placing all her “live food” [her vivid description] in one of these bins, I issued a grump. She, btw, was not bragging.

On her podcast activist-actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus had been acclaiming the merits of a home food compactor for a while.

Another grump from me. Too much earth-friendly virtue, I grumbled.

The compost pails are law in NYC now. They put up big centralized bins on the corners a few months ago.

Next, they required your landlord to make these accessible for us all.

You can hear my complaint over this new task as I carry my bag up the block.

Just a humble brag.

Holá

This is where you want to go, to El Barrio P.S. 109. Believe me, it really is.

From top right: 1. Sara Morales; 2. Oscar Acasio; 3. & 4. Joanne Steinhardt with Jessie Bonaventure and Emily Donnelly; 5. Brittany Maldonado; 6. Arcadia Carabaillo; 7. Carmina Guitterez; 8. Olivia Beens; 9. Laila

The Artspace has gallery spaces, studios for artists and residences under the NYC Connect lottery program.

Gargoyles from the original building (ca late 1800) have been reclaimed. PS 109 was converted to its present use as artist residences between 2013 and 2015.

There are programs of dance and theater, for poets, writers and Women’s History Month, as well as gallery art shows at El Barrio’s PS 109 Artspace.

For example, this coming week, April 9th, at 7:30pm enjoy Cuba loves Puerto Rico, a dance party organized by Gerardo Cortino. Join a poetry workshop led by Bill Keys on Tuesday nights. An exhibit of Women’s Street Photographers opens on April 10th from 6pm.

This unique community space is located at 215 East 99th Street.