Neighborhood Chatter: 9.22.11

UNION SQUARE BIKE SHARE PROGRAM DEMONSTRATION Riding on the heels of Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the New York City Department of Transportation's recent announcement of the Bike Share program, the DOT and Alta Bicycle Share will hold a series of demonstrations to show New Yorkers how the program will work. The next upcoming demo in our neck of the woods is in Union Square on Thursday, Sept. 29, from noon to 6 p.m.

LOWER EAST SIDE LILLIAN WALD PLAYGROUND REOPENS FOR BUSINESS To many New Yorkers at the turn of the century, Lillian Wald was an exceptional lady. She was a nurse and social worker who founded the Henry Street Settlement, coined the term "public health nurse" and pioneered the recreation movement in New York City. Her memory lives on today in many ways, including the newly improved playground named after her on Houston Street and Avenue D. Councilwoman Rosie Mendez was joined last week by several other local politicians, leaders and students from P.S. 94, P.S. 188 and the Girls Prep Charter School for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the playground, which has undergone $1.2 million in upgrades. The improved ADA-accessible playground features all new play equipment, a spray shower, sports activities, safety surfaces, benches, game tables, picnic tables, plantings, fencing, lighting and drainage systems.

TRIBECA FOUNDERS OF FILM FEST AWARDED JANE JABOBS MEDAL Adding to their many accolades and accomplishments, actor Robert De Niro and producer Jane Rosenthal, co-founders of the Tribeca Film Festival, were among a select group awarded the 2011 Jane Jacobs medal.

Along with the medal comes a $50,000 cash reward. De Niro and Rosenthal have pooled their award money and will donate it to the Tribeca Film Institute's Tribeca Teaches program, which brings the art of filmmaking into the classroom.

LOWER EAST SIDE WORLD TRADE CENTER ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CENTER Before the new 9/11 Health Bill goes into effect on Sept. 29, the World Trade Center Environmental Health Center (WTC EHC) can help facilitate initial appointments and assist with the new federally mandated enrollment process. After Thursday, Sept. 29, enrollment and appointments will be handled through offices of the federal government. The WTC EHC has one location in the Gouverneur Healthcare Services building on Clinton Street in the Lower East Side. At no out-of-pocket cost, the EHC provides health care to adults and children who were residents, students, workers and/or passersby near ground zero who may be sick from 9/11. For more information, call (877) WTC-0107. Photo: NEW RECORD SET AT NYC DUMPLING FESTIVAL. Joe Menchetti snagged first place in the eighth annual Chef One Dumpling Eating Contest by chowing down 69 dumplings in two minutes. The event, part of Tang's Natural 2011 NYC Dumpling Festival to benefit the Food Bank of New York City, marked Menchetti's seventh consecutive win. photo by Wyatt Kostygan