Spanish-American Institute

Student Club Newsletter

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July, 2008			Vol. 4, No.7
	July 4, Independence Day July 4 is Independence Day. It is considered America’s birthday. On July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain (England). The following is a selection from the 13 American colonies’ Declaration of Independence. The words reflect the founding principles of a new country soon called the United States of America. IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, …. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. July 4, at 9 pm. Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks At South Street Seaport The nation’s biggest and most incredible birthday bash lights up the night sky over the East River with over 120,000 bursts of color and light stretching from midtown to the South Street Seaport. Best viewing is along the East River between 14^th and 42^nd Streets. Visit Governors Island Take a FREE ferry ride to Governors Island, NYC’s newest 92 acre playground. Located in New York Harbor about ½ mile from Lower Manhattan, the Island’s waterfront offers some of the most dramatic views of the NYC skyline and Harbor, including the Statue of Liberty. No cars or buses--walking or cycling only. Free Concerts on the Island—See list of free activities in the right hand column. July’s free concerts include famous American folk artists at 1:30 pm on Saturdays. Arrive early. Weekend Free Ferries— Ferries leave the Battery Park Maritime Building at 10 South St. next to the Staten Island Ferry Manhattan every hour on the hour from 10 am to 3 pm. Bikes permitted. The last ferry to Manhattan returns at 5 pm. 1 train to South Ferry, 4/5 to Bowling Green, or W to Whitehall St. The Pipes at the Battery Maritime Building—Playing the Building Even if you do not take the ferry to Governors Island, visit the 99 year old Battery Maritime Building to play or listen to the organ pipes. The 9,000 sq. ft. building has been turned into a sonic [sound] environment. The building’s organ pipes are connected to its beams, water pipes, and other infrastructure. Playing the organ (anyone can play) creates a unique series of sounds resonating throughout the building. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 12-6pm to August 10. .	July in New York for Free Check the School Bulletin Boards for more FREE events and directions. River to River Festival. Daily events at various downtown locations. See bulletin boards. Tuesdays, 8pm. Washington Square Music Festival. 7/8, 7/15, 7/22 chamber orchestras, 7/29 Charles Mingus (jazz) orchestra. A,C,D,E,F,V train to W. 4^th St., walk East to Washington Sq. Park. Thursdays, 6:30-9 pm. Latin Music Concerts. Salsa, rock, Latin Funk, reggae, etc. El Museo del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Ave. @ 104^th St... 6 train to 103 St. and Lexington Ave., walk west to Fifth Ave. Thursdays, 7:30 pm. Free Concerts. Asser Levy Seaside Park, W. 5^th St. and Surf Ave. in Coney Island/Brighton Beach. (See bulletin board for performers and directions.) Thursdays, 7pm. KISS FM’s Summer Soul Nights. Best of old school and today’s R&B. South Street Seaport, Pier 17. East side of map below. Fridays, 7pm. Sunset on the Hudson. Enjoy mellow guitar music as sun sets on one of NYC’s most picturesque piers. Pier 45@Christopher St. 1 train to Christopher train and walk West. Fridays, 7-11pm. Dance Party. Dance the night away on Pier 1@70^th St. on the Hudson @Riverside Park South. Pier 1@70^th St., 1,2,3 trains to 72^nd. St. and walk west to the Hudson River. Fridays, 6:30 pm. Battery Park City Sunset Jam on the Hudson. Sunset drumming let by a master drummer. Borrow drums, bells, shakers, and sticks or bring your own. Afterwards, walk the esplanade along the Hudson River at Battery Park City. Wagner Park, just northwest of Battery Park on map below. Saturdays, 1:30 pm. Governors Island Folk Festival. 7/5 Janis Ian, 7/12 Slaid Cleaves, 7/19 Bearfoot, 7/26 Eric Bibb, 8/2 Ronny Cox. See directions to Governors Island in left column. Sundays, 7pm. Acoustic Sundays. Enjoy spectacular sunsets over the Hudson River as you listen to some of NYC’s best jazz, R&B, and world music. Sat., July 5, 6:30 pm. New York Philharmonic Concert, Governors Island. See directions to Governors Island in left column. Sat., July 12, 2-9pm. Accordion Festival, dance or listen to music from around the globe. Pier 1@70^th St., 1,2,3 trains to 72^nd. St. and walk west to the Hudson River. Lower Manhattan Almost every subway line stops somewhere in lower Manhattan. Explore by walking or by taking the free bus, The Downtown Connection. It leaves about every ten minutes from stops along Water St. (east side of map, below), Battery Place (bottom of map), West St. (west side of map), etc from 10 to 7:30 pm daily. Stay Cool At The Pool or Beach The New York City Parks Department has 51 FREE outdoor summer swimming pools. Some are Olympic size. The Parks Department also has over 13 miles of public beaches like Coney Island and Brighton Beach. See the Bulletin Boards in the Student and Founders’ Rooms (room 13) for names, addresses, and sizes of outdoor swimming pools and directions to City and other pools and beaches. Coney Island, Brooklyn Coney Island has been referred to as the poor man’s paradise. An hour by subway from midtown Manhattan, Coney offers an amusement park and lots of sun, sand and surf to city dwellers. The beach with clean renovated bathhouses is free, wide, and groomed regularly. Swim, ride the Cyclone, eat a hotdog, or walk the 3 miles of Boardwalk to Brighton Beach. B/D/N/F to Stillwell (last stop).

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