Critical Mass in pro-Greta ride past U.N.
BY ALEJANDRA
O’CONNELL-DOMENECH
In honor of Greta Thunberg’s visit
to the United Nations on Fri., Aug.
30, more than 100 bicyclists passed
U.N. Headquarters during last Friday’s
Critical Mass ride.
“We wanted to show what real climate
change solutions look like,” said
Bill de Paola, director of Time’s Up, an
environmental organization that organizes
the Critical Mass rides.
The 16-year-old Swedish climate
change activist had arrived in New York
City by solar-powered boat two days earlier.
The teen embarked from the United
Kingdom and spent two weeks sailing
across the Atlantic Ocean to speak at
the U.N. Climate Action Summit scheduled
for later this month.
On Friday, Thunberg was joined by
hundreds of children and teens outside
of the U.N. in calling on politicians and
older generations to take immediate and
comprehensive action to reverse climate
change.
Fellow young New York City climate
change activists Alexandria Villaseñor,
14, and Xiye Bastida Patrick, 17, also
took part in the protest.
During the protest, the trio were given
an impromptu tour of the U.N. and
met with Maria Fernanda Espinosa, the
U.N. General Assembly president.
Critical Mass riders passing through Times Square on Aug. 30. More than 100 cyclists traveled from Union
Square to Washington Square Park, passing by U.N. Headquarters and through Times Square en route.
Hours later, the activist cyclists gathered
as usual at Union Square Park and
headed north. Critical Mass rides occur
in New York, and in more than 200 cities
around the world, every last Friday
of the month, to call for safer streets and
better bicycling infrastructure and to
help newer bicyclists feel more comfortable
riding in traffi c.
“When you ride together in a group,
you feel more confi dent and that helps
create more riders,” de Paola said.
And for Time’s Up, more riders mean
a greener city and greener world.
According to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 29 percent of the
PHOTO BY ALEJANDRA O’CONNELL-DOMENECH
nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions
come from transportation. More specifi
cally, they come from the burning of
petroleum-based fuels to power trucks,
cars, ships and planes.
The 2019 Climate Action Summit is
scheduled to begin on Sept. 23.
Senior centers offer fun and
wellness – far more than bingo!
On a recent day, a group of
Hispanic men shared a joke as
they played pool at an older adult
center in Queens. Across the large,
multipurpose room, Asian women
participated in an exercise class. In
classrooms dotting the perimeter,
older adults learned about the value
of eating healthy and took English as
a second language classes.
This scene wasn’t unique. It is a
typical day at one of the Department
for the Aging’s network of almost 250
older adult centers spread across the
five boroughs. There is something for
nearly everyone.
Many centers have art, music and
dance classes along with walking
clubs and yoga. Among the many
offerings are recreational trips to
museums and other cultural outings.
Some unique offerings also include
the falls prevention classes “Stay
Active and Independent for Life” and
“Tai Chi for Arthritis,” with activities
in support of annual Falls Prevention
Awareness Day on Sept. 23.
Through technology classes
at more than 100 senior centers,
Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez visits members of a Queens senior center
older adults learn about computer
hardware, software programs such as
Word and Excel, and how to safely
browse the internet.
Meals are also provided for a
nominal suggested donation. For
some older New Yorkers living on
a limited income, these meals are a
primary source of nutrition and ease
fears related to financial stress. No
one should have to choose between
paying for meals or medications.
For older adults suffering
with depression, anxiety and
other mental health ailments,
clinicians provide on-site group
and individual counseling sessions
at dozens of senior centers in
multiple languages. This further
expands the network of care in a
safe environment for older adults
who may not normally seek help.
While September is National
Senior Center Month, we shouldn’t
wait until September to celebrate
these hubs of activity and social
connectedness. Senior centers
should be celebrated year-round.
In fact, senior center members who
participated in a survey told us that
socialization was a main reason for
them joining their local center.
Nearly 30,000 older New Yorkers
take advantage of the benefits of older
adult centers daily. Membership is
free and open to anyone age 60 or
older. Immigration status and income
are never barriers to entry.
From health and wellness to
educational classes and even bingo,
go see for yourself what senior
centers have to offer. Call 311 to find
a location near you.
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
is commissioner of the New York City
Department for the Aging. Prior to
joining the de Blasio administration,
she served in executive leadership roles
with AARP, EmblemHealth and other
organizations. She also served as New
York’s first Latina Secretary of State.
8 September 5, 2019 CNW Schneps Media