Civic Groups New York

17 Years on Wheels, 20 years at Google: Subways, Wheelchairs and Maps

This event will be online on [YouTube](https://youtu.be/D31AFpfMLp8) and in-person (New York City). **The speaker and livestream start at 7:30 pm ET**. In-person attendees may arrive as early as 7 pm ET. If arriving late, please leave a comment on this page and someone will come down ASAP. **Description** In 2009, a dramatic accident in Central Park profoundly altered my life trajectory, instantly becoming 1 in 4 people worldwide living with significant disabilities. Ever since, I've navigated the world in a wheelchair, relearning what it means to be a New York father, Google Maps engineer, and athlete. Despite the challenges, though, I've more frequently found gratitude, purpose, and even joy in the vast, strong community of people with disabilities. Gratitude for all we've accomplished in the last half-century, and both purpose and joy in working with disabled folk and allies to extend those gains. In the physical world, fighting and winning a subway accessibility lawsuit, and online, adding disability-aware data and features to Google Maps so people of all abilities can "know before we go" if a place and route are a good choice. **Presenter bio** [Sasha Blair-Goldensohn](www.linkedin.com/in/sasha-blair-goldensohn-429a5125b) leads Google Maps accessibility and disability innovation projects, helping people worldwide find accessible places and routes. He is also a disability rights activist with the Elevator Action Group for New York City subway accessibility, and has appeared in The New York Times, NPR, PBS, Vital City, Vice News, New Mobility, and West Side Rag. **Accessibility** The presentation will have human captions [CC], not automatic captions. For ASL preferred speakers, learn about the [Aira ASL App](https://aira.io/aira-asl-app/), and download it before the event. For the Blind and Low Vision community, learn about the [Aira Explorer App](https://aira.io/aira-explorer-app/) and download it before the event. To access the online webinar for audio description, use the A11yNYC Access Offer to call, or simply inform your Visual Interpreter that you'd like that offer applied when you connect. For additional accessibility requirements, please email meryl@equalentry.com **two weeks** **before** the event. **Livestream** View on [YouTube](https://youtu.be/D31AFpfMLp8) Provided by Internet Society Accessibility SIG. **Location details** The event is at 72 Spring Street on the 4th floor. Everyone must be accompanied to the event on the 4th floor. Because everyone needs to be escorted, please arrive early or on time. When you enter the ground floor, a representative from A11yNYC will be there to provide elevator access. **Transit** The building 72 Spring Street is near several transit stops: 6 train * Spring Street (non-accessible stop): 100 feet * Canal Street (accessible stop): 0.4 miles B/D/F/M trains * Broadway-Lafayette Street (accessible stop), 0.2 miles N/Q/R/W trains * Prince Street (non-accessible stop): 0.2 miles * Canal Street (accessible stop): 0.3 miles M1 / M55 Bus lines * Broadway/Spring Street stop: 500 feet Cabs and rideshares can let passengers out right near the building entrance. **Finding the building** In Google Maps, find 72 Spring Street. It shows the correct location of the entrance: on Spring Street, halfway between Crosby and Lafayette. It’s also between the Glossier store and the Krewe Eyewear store. Inside and over the reception desk in our building 72 Spring St, it says “Marc Jacobs.” **Traveling to the event?** We recommend [Hotel on Rivington](https://www.hotelonrivington.com/) or [Crosby Street Hotel](https://www.firmdalehotels.com/hotels/crosby-street-hotel). **Accreditation** All A11yNYC meetups are pre-approved for IAAP Continuing Accessibility Education Credits (CAEC). **Sponsors** Thanks to [Aira](https://aira.io/), [AKQA](https://www.akqa.com/), [Deque](https://www.deque.com/), [Evinced](https://www.evinced.com/), and [Equal Entry](https://equalentry.com/) for sponsoring. Want to be a sponsor? Contact meryl@equalentry.com

Victory Pints at Wild East Brewing

WEBSITE (http://www.victorypints.com/) TWITTER (https://twitter.com/victory_pints) FACEBOOK (https://www.facebook.com/victorypints) Every Monday we bring some serious board game madness to Wild East Brewing from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. They like board games; we like board games... it's a match made in heaven! WHAT TYPE OF GAMES ARE PLAYED? All types. Real short bluffing games decorated with skulls and flowers. Cooperative games fighting horrible diseases. Classic euro games where you haggle over sheep and wheat. Whether you want to fight unspeakable horrors in Arkham or build railroads across America or rebuild your farm after the black plague (more fun than it sounds) you can probably find a game you would like. Some games you might see are 7 Wonders, Settlers of Catan, Pandemic, Dominion, Dixit, Puerto Rico, Eldritch Horror, Ticket to Ride, Carcasonne among many others. You're also welcome to bring any game you want to play! I DON'T KNOW THESE GAMES? IS IT COOL IF I COME? We're very friendly and if you have no idea what the hell we're talking about just trust us when we say it's ton of fun. We'll have tons of games and we're very happy to show you the rules. Hang out, haves some drinks, and learn a new game. Questions? Comments? Contact us at info@victorypints.com

Jump!

Casual Drinks, Conversations, and Trivia

Join me for casual drinks and conversations, and a couple rounds of trivia. This is an event where people from around the neighborhood just meet and talk. Talk about your day, talk about your life, talk about the weather, talk about your hobbies. Anything and everything is welcome! Then, at 8pm, we can join the rest of the bar in a round of Trivia where we can test our repitoire of all-important knowledge. Hopefully we can make meaningful connections and turn strangers into friends.

OC Race Practice - Intermediate/Advanced

Ivy League Singles Mixer at W Hotel in Hoboken NJ!

Join us for a fun and relaxed Singles Mixer at the W Hotel in Hoboken, where great conversations, good energy, and new possibilities come together. Whether you’re looking for friendship, romance, or simply a chance to expand your social circle, this is the perfect opportunity to get out, mingle, and see who you meet! Come as you are and leave the pressure at the door. This is a welcoming space for singles who are open to meeting interesting, like-minded people in a casual and enjoyable setting. Grab a drink, strike up a conversation, share some laughs, and discover the connections that can happen when you step outside your usual routine. You never know where a simple hello might lead. You could meet a new friend, find someone who shares your interests, or spark a romantic connection that turns into something more. The goal is simple: bring people together and create an atmosphere where genuine connections can happen naturally. So bring your smile, your best conversation starters, and an open mind! Whether you’re new to Hoboken or a longtime local, you’ll have the chance to meet a variety of fun and interesting singles while enjoying an evening designed for connection, conversation, and a little bit of chemistry. Come mingle, make connections, and maybe meet someone special! We’d love to see you at our Hoboken Singles Mixer for an evening of new friendships, exciting conversations, and romantic possibilities. Your next great connection could be just one conversation away! **Can't make this event? Sign up for FREE on our website to get updates on future events:** [www.Intelligent.Events](https://www.intelligent.events/ "https://www.Intelligent.Events")

Free Charles Oakley

Urban Athletics: Tour de Bronx Bike Tour

Yes, I'm cheap AF. That's why I've done the 5 Boro Bike Tour exactly once. Paying more than a Benjamin to ride a bicycle around New York leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth and an even worse feeling in my wallet. I could spend that money on something useful—like 47 slices of pizza. So why pay to ride when you can ride for **FREE**? Come join me for the annual Tour de Bronx, the largest **FREE** organized cycling event in New York State. That's right: zero dollars. Nada. Zip. The price is so low even your inner cheapskate will be impressed. **What's the story?** We've come a long way from Da Bronx of the 1970s. Back then, a tour of the borough might have involved abandoned buildings, burned-out cars, and making eye contact with absolutely nobody. Today, you get 6,000 of your closest strangers, all on bicycles, cruising through historic districts, waterfronts, greenways, parks, and some surprisingly beautiful neighborhoods. And nobody is asking you for money. There are two main routes: 25 miles for those who enjoy cycling but still have other things to do that day, and 40 miles for those of us who apparently have something to prove. Naturally, I'm doing the 40. The route takes us through the south, east, and central Bronx, including Mott Haven, Clason Point along the East River, and Pelham Bay Park, the largest park in New York City, with nearly 3,000 acres of forests, trails, and enough greenery to make you briefly forget you're still in New York. We'll also hit City Island and Orchard Beach along the way. And just when your legs are starting to wonder why you thought this was a good idea, we roll into the New York Botanical Garden for a post-ride music festival. Oh, and there’s free stuff too. **The important stuff!** • It's **FREE**, but don't get too excited and just show up. You **MUST** register in advance to participate. Do that **[HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tour-de-bronx-2026-tickets-1994692075694)**. • You can choose the 25-mile or 40-mile route. I'm doing the 40 because apparently I make poor decisions. • Bringing your kids? There's also a 10-mile family route, so you can introduce the next generation to the joys of cycling without immediately traumatizing them. **How Do I Get There?** This one is ridiculously easy by mass transit. Take the 4 or D train to 161st Street/Yankee Stadium, or Metro-North to 153rd Street/Yankee Stadium. So grab your bike, bring your appetite, and come burn a bunch of calories with me. It's the Bronx. It's 40 miles. It's free. And there is free stuff at the end. Honestly, what more could a cheap bastard ask for?

Lose in the final seconds

Advanced OC1/2 - Surfski practice

(MM)🌟 CO-CREATIVITY WITH AIR! 🌟 NYC's Liberty Living Wall Tour | Lily Turner

**CALLING ALL PLANETARY FLIGHT CREWS!** * **Join us for our 3rd Annual month-long October E-STEAM Playtime Co-Creativity with Air activities.** * * 📍***WHERE:*** On Saturday, October 3, the first October weekend, we will begin in New York City, on [Lily Turner’s Liberty Park Living Wall Tour](https://site.pheedloop.com/event/EVENVEBCKWHKA/sessions/SESMVKF4VXZR20B0S), and share this experience throughout our October activities in Denver. * * 👤***FEATURED EDUTAINER:*** [Lily Turner](https://site.pheedloop.com/event/EVENVEBCKWHKA/speakers/SPERSZBSYNT) owns[ Lily Scott Designs](https://www.lilyscottdesigns.com), which creates custom-built living plant walls and preserved moss installations for commercial and residential spaces nationwide. Lily Turner is also the Chairwoman of the organization [Green Roofs for Healthy Cities](https://www.greenroofs.org). * * 🚀 ***WHAT:*** For happy playtime transportation, urban Co-Creativity with Air needs more connections, with the [biology of urban precipitation cycles](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pvqiR8XGRhnZmzhIPBGoozVeKn-Ki2dr/view?pli=1). E-STEAM Playtime edutainers, Fran and Richard Rew, will be attending [Lily Turner’s Liberty Park Living Wall Tour](https://site.pheedloop.com/event/EVENVEBCKWHKA/sessions/SESMVKF4VXZR20B0S), to witness this inspiring manifestation of urban co-creativity with air. * * This remarkable living wall at Liberty Park is 336 feet long, and 25 feet high. It overlooks the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in Lower Manhattan. This large-scale green infrastructure project was designed and installed using [Sempergreen](https://vimeo.com/1174376074?fl=pl&fe=vl)'s outdoor system. It features more than 25,000 plants woven into a highly engineered hydroponic living wall. As E-STEAM Playtime attendees, we'll have the opportunity to explore how this innovative system creates a resilient and sustainable urban landscape, while serving as a serene natural backdrop within one of New York City’s most meaningful public spaces. * * As [E-STEAM Playtime Planetary Flight Crew](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zV0E2Wu2pm2dy4bHhlMrPkErHeqABkAX/view?usp=sharing) members, we are all like the astronauts, on the International Space Station (ISS), checking out our Environmental Control and Life-Support System (ECLSS). * * This Liberty Living Wall represents an urban ECLSS, which supports the [biology of urban precipitation cycles](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pvqiR8XGRhnZmzhIPBGoozVeKn-Ki2dr/view?pli=1) * * In this YouTube link, to the ISS astronaut [Commander Chris Hadfield](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaOC9danxNo) playing his guitar and singing "Space Oddity" on the ISS, his team's ECLSS is fully functional. Good urban ECLSS makes playtime happier anywhere! * * This Living Wall tour is scheduled, on the last day, of the [CitiesAlive 2026, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities](https://site.pheedloop.com/event/EVENVEBCKWHKA/home) conference. Richard and Fran will only be going to this tour, not the entire conference. Registration is required for this 2-hour tour. This tour's ticket price is $49 per person. * 🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸 * **"We are the Universe becoming conscious of itself."** * \- a quote by Ron Garan\, spacewalker\, astronaut\, on the International Space Station\, in his BigThink video titled\, “[I went to space and discovered an enormous lie](https://bigthink.com/life/overview-effect/)." 🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸🔹🔸 * 🤝🌱🧑 ***CO-CREATIVITY PARTNERS:*** * * **E-STEAM Playtime Edutainers** [Fran and Richard Rew](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b4Ni0i4mDmdPBFCbQtR3TanDzXop5HXh/view) are co-founders of the [E-STEAM Love](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAa47BJ3OTU) channel on YouTube. On Friday, October 2, Fran and Richard will be Co-Creativity Partners, with the rest of the visitors, on a [FREE tour, of New York City's Little Island](https://partiful.com/e/dXHcZXgSC99z8AyPc3Mu), led by the Little Island's Landscape Architect Signe Nielsen, and Architect of Record Fabian Jabro. * * Richard and Fran will be co-hosting the rest of October's month-long activities in Denver, Colorado. These activities and locations will be announced, on the collaborative [Museum Muser](https://www.meetup.com/museummuser/) calendars. * * 🌱🌍🛠️ ***CO-CREATIVITY CONNECTIONS*** * **New York City's, and Denver, Colorado’s "urban living skin,”** at its best is mostly like the temperature regulating living hair follicles, on our skin. The surrounding rural areas are more like Earth's actual "living skin." * * Next Friday (10/9/2026), we'll explore the possibilities for vertiports as a part of NU-GRIPs (Neighborhood Urban Green Roof, intergenerational, interdisciplinary, Public-Private-Partnerships), to improve our urban-and-rural co-creativity connections! It is the rural (not urban) “skin” that’s packed full of the biology of air. Our urban “living skin” needs to share strong biological conscious co-creativity connections with our rural “living skin.” Our rural and urban “living skins,” are currently packed full of increasingly disconnections, from our biologically “conscious co-creativity connections!” * * **The [2026 calendar for the full month of October's E-STEAM Playtime Co-Creativity with Air](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X1Y7k__IPM97GOC1WplB6CiRMF-7GlcF/view?usp=sharing)** activities will be linked, in the video descriptions, of the 2024 and 2026 annual October event videos, on the [E-STEAM Love](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAa47BJ3OTU) channel on YouTube. The 2nd weekend of October’s Denver, Colorado, locations include Forney Transportation Museum (Friday, 10/9), CSU Spur (Saturday, 10/10), and the One Sky One World International Kite Fly for Peace, in the Sloan’s Lake Park (Sunday, 10/11). * 🔸🔹 **THE EARTH LIFE-SUPPORT SYSTEM MISSION** 🔸🔹 * **Our Planetary Flight Crew's playtime** mission is to connect with our conscious love for co-creativity, with Nature's life-supporting designs. \* With this connection, our **E-STEAM Playtime Power** will grow a co-creativity resilience, for balancing E-STEAM’s [Life-Supporting Biology of Precipitation Cycles](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pvqiR8XGRhnZmzhIPBGoozVeKn-Ki2dr/view?pli=1) \* * **"E" = Economics,** of Nature's living-energy-resource-balancing economics. This is the first "E" in "E-STEAM." This includes the balancing science of living-energy-resource systems, in our Earth’s atmosphere of air. * * **"dash" = Conscious Co-Creativity Connecting** the living and non-living-resource economics, balancing between Nature and Humanity. * * **"STEAM" = Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and** **Math**, of Humanity’s non-living-resource-balancing economics, through our Art of choices, for STEAM designs.

City of Forest Day - Forest Bathing

**City of Forest Day** is an annual day of activities across all five boroughs to raise awareness of the importance of the New York City urban forest, and the essential role New Yorkers play every day in caring for the “lungs” of our city. Mindful Astoria is honored to participate in this day, as it has in years past, by offering Forest Bathing in our cherished local park! Saturday, October 3rd from 11am to 2pm **Location for our Saturday October 3rd gathering:** The group will meet at 11am on the northern end of Astoria Park, in the grassy field close to the corner of Ditmars Boulevard and 19th Street (see the red pin on the attached map). Look out for our group in the field - We will keep an eye out for anyone entering the park who may be looking for us. Please arrive on time and *\*Bring something tfo sit on\*.* Thank you. **Shinrin-yoku** \- a Japanese term translated to mean "forest bathing" or "absorbing the forest atmosphere"\, is beginning to make it's way to the west\. Immerse yourself in nature and share with like minded folks. You will be guided through a series of grounding and meditative practices that will help reconnect you with the more-than-human world, your community and yourself. Guided seated and walking meditations will be incorporated. Benefits of forest bathing include stress reduction, improved mood, improved cardiovascular and cognitive function, among a host of other benefits. Vanessa is a certified Forest therapy guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, in addition to being a licensed clinical social worker with over two decades of experience. Her spiritual path began back in social work school and has continued to evolve over the years by following different teachers, practicing yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and engaging in her own healing work. Vanessa's excited to share her passion for nature and the outdoors as a tool for healing and self-discovery. Whether in an urban jungle or out in the woods, nature is always the best temple. *If you are able to offer financial support (we suggest $20-$30 for this event), please send your donation via the PayPal app or website to our email address: [mindfulastoria@gmail.com](http://mindfulastoria@gmail.com./) or cash at the event. This will enable us to continue offering programs to our community, ensuring no one is ever turned away due to lack of funds.*