Stephen Elbaz revealed mold behind the wall vinyl at a Brooklyn co-op.   Uli Seit for The New York Times

nytimes.com - by Mireya Navarro - May 1, 2013

Since the hurricane, thousands of homeowners have been startled to discover that co-ops are largely barred from federal disaster assistance. The rules have stirred growing criticism from members of Congress from the region, who contend that the system fails to take into account how people live in New York City, where co-ops have flourished.

The lawmakers are calling for the rules to be changed, saying that as severe weather becomes more common, the region will be increasingly shortchanged in disaster aid.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

Prepared by Heriberto Martinez, PCP
Voluntary Agency Liaison Deputy Group Supervisor
Federal Emergency Management Agency

New York Hurricane Sandy
Grants Information: Funders, Resources, and Grant Writing Tool February 10, 2014

(CLICK ON ATTACHMENT BELOW - 154 page Word document)

globalecovillages.org - March 22, 2012

We found this article which was originally published in the subscription only 'Architects' Journal' in 2009.  When we did a little more search engine research we found an earlier article titled "Hanham Hall: Eco-town or eco-spin?" also reprinted below.  We wanted to post these articles though to start some necessary conversations about models, prototypes, and criteria that are still in the process of birthing the 'EcoVillage' into the world. 

What kind of criteria do you think needs to be met to qualify a development to call itself an EcoVillage?

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

In October, 2013, Doctors of the World opened the doors of the Rockaways Free Clinic to local uninsured adults. A year after Hurricane Sandy ravaged the area, many residents were still displaced from healthcare services. Learn how the Rockaways Free Clinic has proven a beacon of hope for locals; hear their stories.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqMsMDsk6Wk

FOR RELATED ARTICLES - CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

http://rockaway.newyork.resiliencesystem.org/doctors-world-opens-first-us-clinic-rockaways

Rockaway West

(Includes the neighborhoods of Belle Harbor, Neponsit, Rockaway Beach, and Rockaway Park)

CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON ROCKAWAY WEST

stormrecovery.ny.gov/nyrcr/community/rockaway-west

MEETINGS:

01.29.14
Rockaway West Planning Committee Meeting

02.03.14
Rockaway West Planning Committee Meeting

CLICK HERE - Rockaway West Conceptual Plan
(44 page .PDF report)

Shuttered Peninsula Hospital in Rockaway could be transformed into senior housing under one proposal by a non-profit group.  Debbie Egan-Chin/New York Daily News

nydailynews.com - by Lisa L. Colangelo - January 21, 2014

The shuttered Peninsula Hospital building has caught the eye of a nonprofit group that wants to transform it into housing for veterans and senior citizens.

But Rockaway residents, who haven’t given up hope the hospital will reopen as another medical facility, are wary of the plan.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

From: NYC OEM <***@***.***>
Date: January 22, 2014 at 2:09:24 PM CST
Subject: Update - Weather - Bitter Cold - Low Temperatures and Wind Chills (Citywide)

Wed Jan 22 14:57:45 2014 
STATUS: Open - Active 
PROGNOSIS: Monitoring 
Weather-Cold/Snow 
Citywide  1/21- 1/24

(OEM Weather Distribution List)

SYNOPSIS

Intensifying low pressure well south of long island will move farther out to sea through tonight as weak high pressure builds from the west.  A weakening Alberta Clipper will move through on Thursday . . . followed by a high pressure ridge building in through the end of the week.  Another Alberta Clipper low will pass late Saturday . . . reinforcing the cold air across the area.  Unsettled weather is possible during the beginning of next week. 

TEMPERATURES

Today: cold; high around 15°F with wind chill values as low as 13 below (-13°F); lows around 6°F with wind chill values as low as 5 to 10 below (-5°F to -10°F). 

Thursday: cold; highs in the lower 20s with wind chill values as low as 8 below (-8°F) in the morning; lows around 9°F with wind chill values as low as 8 below (-8°F) after midnight. 

Photo: Dennis Clark

nypost.com - by Susan Edelman - January 12, 2014

This principal runs a school of “no.”

Students at PS 106 in Far Rockaway, Queens, have gotten no math or reading and writing books for the rigorous Common Core curriculum, whistleblowers say.

The 234 kids get no gym or art classes. Instead, they watch movies every day.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

Johanna Dominique in her apartment on the Rockaway Peninsula. A water stain that appeared when Hurricane Sandy hit, persists across her repaired ceiling. Ángel Franco/The New York Times

nytimes.com - by Sarah Maslin Nir - January 13, 2014

The buildings are offset by the Atlantic, a pastiche of warm tones and cool grays, jutting balconies overlooking tranquil landscaped gardens and million-dollar views. The apartment complex is in the Arverne section of the Rockaway Peninsula; it looks as if it could be Boca Raton, Fla.

But in this cluster of buildings, looks are often deceiving.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

Projects Statewide to Strengthen New York’s Communities Against Extreme Weather

governor.ny.gov - Andrew M. Cuomo - Governor - January 7, 2014

insurancejournal.com - by Andrew G. Simpson - January 7, 2014

The U.S. Senate is expected to take a key vote soon on a bill that would delay some of the flood insurance rate hikes triggered by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012. . .

. . . The procedural vote on S.1846 was originally planned for Wednesday, but the Senate is still dealing with an extension of federal unemployment benefits, delaying consideration of the flood bill. U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), a major advocate for the bill, told USA Today that  “next week is more realistic” for any vote on the flood bill.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)

nyc.gov

OEM OFFERS COLD WEATHER SAFETY TIPS

Seniors, infants, the homeless, and those with chronic medical conditions are at increased risk of health problems from the cold

January 2, 2014 — With a significant snow storm and temperatures expected to be dangerously cold beginning today through Saturday, the New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene remind New Yorkers to protect themselves and help others who may be at increased risk of health problems. Homeless individuals not in shelters, people working outdoors, and those in homes or apartments with inadequate heat are most likely to be exposed to dangerous cold. Seniors, infants, people with chronic cardiovascular or lung conditions, people using alcohol or drugs and people with cognitive impairments such as from dementia, serious mental illness or developmental disability are at increased risk.

New Yorkers should take the following precautions: 

Watch how geothermal heat pumps heat and cool buildings by concentrating the naturally existing heat contained within the earth -- a clean, reliable, and renewable source of energy.

energy.gov - June 24, 2012

Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs), sometimes referred to as GeoExchange, earth-coupled, ground-source, or water-source heat pumps, have been in use since the late 1940s. They use the constant temperature of the earth as the exchange medium instead of the outside air temperature. This allows the system to reach fairly high efficiencies (300% to 600%) on the coldest winter nights, compared to 175% to 250% for air-source heat pumps on cool days.

(READ COMPLETE ARTICLE)