Citizenship Prep New York

Slothian Hike at Mohonk Preserve

**It's the last weekend of summer!** Let's get outdoors and take a hike at **[Mohonk Preserve](https://www.mohonkpreserve.org/who-we-are/)** reachable on Trailways bus out of the Port Authority Bus Terminal going to New Paltz. **AGENDA:** We'll hike the East Trapps Connector Trail connecting to the West Trapps trail. **PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A MODERATELY STRENUOUS HIKE.** Hike starts going up 270 STEEP stone steps. Please be honest with your hiking ability when signing up. We will go slow and will not leave you behind. You don't have to be an athlete to do this hike but you must be able to complete hike with any issues. **GETTING THERE:** We're taking the **Trailway bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal.** The 7AM bus arrives in New Paltz by 8:35AM. One-way ticket is $26.00 (depends on how early you buy the ticket). Ticket can be purchased in advance at this link: **[https://trailways.com/](https://trailways.com/)** From the Trailways bus station in New Paltz, we'll then pick up the **[Nature Bus](https://ucat.ulstercountyny.gov/routes/nature-bus/)** at 8:45am that will drop us off at the Mohonk Preserve Visitor's Center at 9AM. **Drivers**: you can meet us at the Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center at 9am. Do your own research on directions and parking situation. **PACE**: Hiking pace will be **LEISURELY AND NO ONE WILL BE LEFT BEHIND**. During hike we'll have lunch, water and snack breaks as needed; as well as taking time to savor the sights and sounds of nature, and most importantly, socialize with your fellow hikers. **NO FAST HIKERS!** **TOTAL MILEAGE**: up to about 7 to 8 MILES **DURATION**: We will be out for the entire day. But you can leave on your own at any time. We won't judge. Much. **AFTER HIKE,** we'll allot some time to explore New Paltz and grab some local bites and drinks before heading home. **RETURN BUS:** 6PM bus back to NYC. **WEATHER**: as bus ticket is non-refundable, this meetup is rain or shine! ***LIABILITY WAIVER: come prepared. Participate at your own risks.*** ***Hold no one liable etc etc.***

*In Person* Practice and improve your public speaking skills!

Note - we are on the 5th floor for this meeting. New location! Meeting at Berkeley College, 3 E. 43 St. in room 502. We are moving the start up up a bit to avoid running up against the building close time (21:00) and potentially allow for more socializing. We are one of few Toastmasters clubs in NYC offering in-person meetings and we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity for in-person communication and networking. Interested in improving your public speaking skills? Want to meet new people and engage in interesting discussions? Hoping to make new business and life connections? If so we welcome you to attend the next Greenspeakers meeting. Greenspeakers is a Toastmasters club that was founded by Green Party members to provide a forum for engaged progressive activists and professionals to improve their public speaking skills. Guests of all political persuasions are welcome and we have no official connection to any political party. All attendees will have a chance to practice public speaking and will learn helpful tricks to become a more confident public speaker and communicator. Hope to see you there! Please note that our meetings require active listening and it's expected all in attendance will be respectful to each speaker by giving them your attention and refrain from making noise during speaking roles. Any who are disruptive or do not follow the behavioral guidelines of Toastmasters may be asked not to return.

The Venture Garden, Jersey City (Entrepreneurs Welcome!)

Build ideas. Share tea. Turn conversations into real businesses. Join us every other week in Jersey City for a relaxed but intentional gathering of entrepreneurs, builders, and curious minds. This is not a pitch event. This is not a lecture. This is a space to think, connect, and actually move forward. We bring together people who are: * Starting or growing a business * Exploring new ideas or income streams * Looking to connect with other serious, thoughtful builders * Interested in tea, wellness, and intentional living Over tea, we create space for: * Real conversations about business and life * Sharing ideas, challenges, and opportunities * Meeting potential collaborators, partners, and friends * Gaining clarity on your next step What to Expect Each session is lightly structured: 1\. Welcome \+ Tea \(10–15 min\) Settle in, pour tea, meet the group 2\. Introductions \(15–20 min\) Who you are, what you're building (or thinking about), and what you need 3\. Open Discussion/Brainstorm \(30–45 min\) What's working & what's not Pricing and positioning Finding customers Turning ideas into action 4\. Connections \+ Next Steps \(15–20 min\) Connect, exchange info, and identify opportunities to collaborate Who This Is For Early-stage founders. Side hustlers. Creatives and operators. People serious about building something real. Anyone who values thoughtful conversation and community A Note on the Community This meetup is the foundation of a growing local network supporting entrepreneurship in Jersey City. For those who want to go deeper, there are opportunities to: * Join smaller working groups * Get hands-on support building your business * Access a broader venture support network * No pressure—just come, connect, and see where it leads. What to Bring: An idea, a business, or just curiosity. A willingness to share and listen. Come for the tea. Stay for the ideas. Leave with momentum.

SpeakIt Language Exchange: Meet friends, practice, and share a language!

SpeakIt is a group where the goal is to **practice and learn languages** naturally: By talking and meeting new people! 🥳 this, of course, includes English learners 😍. [Traducción](https://www-meetup-com.translate.goog/speakit-nyc/events/299532447/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=es&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp&_x_tr_hist=true) We hope to have all the cultures that New York City represents, so we welcome **any language and all language levels**. Here's how it works: 1. 👨‍🎓You spend part of your time practicing a language you are learning; 2. 🧑🏻‍🏫You spend the other part of your time speaking in your native language, helping others! *(even if you only speak one language, that's fine)* When you arrive at the venue, we will have flag stickers 🇺🇳 representing any country of your choosing. Put your most fluent language on top and any language(s) you are learning or already know below. Then find someone else wearing a flag and say hi in your preferred language 👋🏼. **FAQ's** * 💰**Event is $2 (suggested, cash or Venmo)** to help cover the cost for the flags and the meetup subscription. * 🍻Please support the venue that hosts us by ordering something from the bar. 😎 * ***Will there be speakers of (my language) here?*** That depends! We don't organize who comes to the event, so we can't be 100% sure your language will be there. You may want to invite a practice buddy, or message us in advance and we can try to find you one. Otherwise come say Hi and find out! * **Can I show up late?** Show up any time during the event. * Coming alone? Welcome! Just bring a friendly face and some words. * Or feel free to bring along some friends, too. **When and Where:** * [Heart of Gold Bar](https://goo.gl/maps/csmu6MycKxirFvYv9), Astoria * Get off at Broadway on the N/W train or Steinway M/R. * Look for the flag table out back and say hi!

Venture Garden for Entrepreneurs

A biweekly gathering in Jersey City where founders, creatives, and operators connect over tea to share ideas, solve problems, and turn conversations into real businesses.

Advanced Level Paddlers - Liberty to Freedom Swim Support - 13 mile round trip

\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **Not sure how many people will need. The first 15 for sure. Probably 20. If more people that qualify have signed up than needed, I'll more people to the waitlist in the order they signed up.** \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **Swim support - Advanced Level - 13 mile round trip** Our original and biggest swim support! We will be guiding swimmers from the WTC to Liberty Island. Right after we'll do a second round with another set of swimmers from Liberty Island to WTC. That means we will paddle for 11.5 miles without landing! 4.5 miles of this paddle will be just you paddling alone and guiding your swimmer across the Hudson River. **PREREQUISITES TO RSVP:** 1. You received an invitation to join by host or Urban Swim. Host will review prerequisites and experience with paddlers individually **COME PREPARED:** * Lots of Water * Snacks and food * Your Urban Swim shirt if you have one * Sunscreen * Hat * Change of clothes * Anything else you may need to spend 8 hours outside under the sun **TIMELINE** **Leg 1 - 3.5 miles - Paddle to South Cove** * 8:15 AM - Meet at the boathouse, get equipment ready * ***8:30 AM - Please arrive no later than this time. Hopefully earlier!!*** * 8:35 AM - safety briefing * 8:55 AM - boats on beach * 9:10 AM - stretch * 9:15 AM - depart * 10:15 AM - arrive at South Cove * 10:30 AM - meet your swimmer **Leg 2 - 2.25 miles - Swim support** * 10:35 AM - swim starts. Follow lead kayaker/power boat and directions from radio * 11:45 AM - swim ends. wait for everyone to finish by pre determined buoy **Break - 1.75 miles round trip to LSP** * 11:45 AM - Paddle to LSP * 12:00 PM - Land and rest * 12:30 PM - Depart * 12:45 PM - Arrive at start line **Leg 3 - 2.25 miles - Second round of Swim Support** * 12:55 PM - meet your swimmer * 1:00 PM - swim starts. Follow lead kayaker/power boat and directions from radio * 2:00 PM - swim ends. wait for everyone to finish by pre determined buoy **Leg 4 - 3.5 - Return paddle & break** * 2:15 PM - begin trip back * 3:45 PM - arrive at HCCB * 4:00 PM - clean and put away boats/equipment * 5:00 PM - trip ends. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **NOAA predicted current at Hudson River Entrance** 5:25 AM - Slack 9:30 AM - Max Ebb \~1.34 knots 12:.53 PM - Slack 3:34 PM - Max Flood \~1.11 knots

1NIGHT! Modern Chinese w/ “DUMPLING QUEEN” Chef Shirley Chung 🇨🇳@ JBF[PREPAID]

***Add yourself to the Waitlist if interested.*** ***Note: JBF Dinners have recently been sold out before posting menus so that's your heads up!*** We are heading to **JBF Platform! Dinner: Modern Chinese with [Chef Shirley Chung, who came back from Stage 4 Tongue Cancer!](https://www.instagram.com/chfshirleychung/?hl=en)** ## A Night with the “Dumpling Queen” and Top Chef Fan Favorite **Save on the trip to/from LA! ✈️** **Beloved *Top Chef* finalist and fan favorite chef Shirley Chung** brings her new dining concept, Night Rooster, to New York for one night only. Known as Los Angeles’ "Dumpling Queen," the Beijing-born chef trained in classic French and Italian kitchens under esteemed chefs Thomas Keller, Guy Savoy, and José Andrés before establishing her own distinct point of view in modern Chinese cooking. For this menu, chef Chung highlights her latest work at Night Rooster in Dallas, pairing her deep heritage with regional Texas ingredients. Guests will enjoy her signature and inventive handmade dumplings, like jumbo Wagyu cheeseburger potstickers, alongside dishes that marry northern Chinese culinary traditions with Lone Star State flair. Cost: $200+ Menu: (based on avail) **HORS D’OEUVRES** * **Cherry Tomato with Hibiscus** and Sparkling Bubbles * **Lobster Air Egg Roll** with Pomegranate Sweet-and-Sour Sauce *Pairing: Beijing WuYuTai Tea Company Jasmine Tea* *Pairing: Easton Michael Winery Napa Valley Blanc de Blancs Sparkling NV* **DINNER** * **Drunken Fish > Bluefin Tuna Crudo with Avocado**; Tequila, Soy, and Lime Dressing; and Zhacai Preserved Vegetable Tiger Salsa *Pairing: BŌKEN Sake* * **Spicy Duck Fat–Chicken Wonton with Sichuan Peppercorn**–Zhenjiang Black Vinegar Dressing *Pairing: WS Dumpling Mafia Napa Valley Chardonnay 2017* * **Tea-Smoked Duck Breast with Parsnip Purée**, Smoked Plum Sauce, Night Rooster Duck Sauce, and Chili Crisp *Pairing: WS Dumpling Mafia Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017* **DESSERT** * **Doughnut and Coffee Sesame–Sugar Mochi Doughnut** with Whipped Mocha Tofu Mousse *Pairing: Chrysanthemum Pu’Erh Tea* *This one-night-only dinner will feature a cocktail reception with passed hors d'oeuvre upon arrival, an expertly crafted multi-course menu with thoughtfully curated wine or beverage pairings, and a Q&A with the featured chefs.* *James Beard Foundation events permit guests age 21 years and older to attend events where alcoholic beverages are served.* \~A La Cuisine

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Improve Your Public Speaking Skills — Columbia University Toastmasters

English Conversation for Intermediate Learners

There is a fee to attend this event. Read the description that follows for more info. Join us for this class and practice conversation with other English learners. Students will participate in instructor-led activities designed to improve listening and speaking skills. This class is for learners at the intermediate level (see our calendar for conversation classes for beginner or advanced students, as well as other ESL classes). This class is part of an ongoing course. Students attending this class have the option to pay-per-session ($20), or receive a discount by enrolling in the full course. Visit our website for more information: https://togetheronenewyork.org/Our-Programs/Language-Classes/English-Conversation-Classes/Intermediate-Advanced-Classes

Take Your First HSK 4 Class | Midtown, NYC

Nihao, Sign up for your first HSK 4 (intermediate high) class today! We have the last five seats available for this new HSK 4 group class. **[Class fee: $29](https://sishumandarin.com/group-chinese-class-subscription/trial-and-drop-in-classes)** This is not a free class. We will offer this one-hour-long online class at a discounted rate of $29. **[Click here to pay the class fee](https://sishumandarin.com/group-chinese-class-subscription/trial-and-drop-in-classes)** (please choose the trial option at checkout). No walk-ins. **Email info@sishumandarin.com for a further exclusive discount for Meetup members.** ### Is HSK 4 my level? Best for students who have studied Chinese for at least 2 years or who have scored 90 or higher on the HSK 3 test. Students need to be able to read or write at least 800 characters. Writing ability is not required but is strongly preferred. Although this class is accessible for those who are conversationally fluent, it might be challenging for students who don’t read or write any Chinese characters. Visit our website at [www.sishumandarin.com](www.sishumandarin.com) to check out more free Chinese learning resources. Or, follow us on Instagram @sishumandarin.

Conversation Circle with Dana Fox