Notes from the Neighborhood

Compiled by Sean Creamer and Megan Bungeroth SHAKESPEARE'SLADIES Just about all of Shakespeare's charactersare iconic symbols of the human condition, and the same can besaid of the heroines withinhis tales. The experimentalShakespeare ensembleDark Lady Players will beperforming Shakespeare'sAnnunciation parodiesSunday, March 25, at 5 p.m.at West-Park PresbyterianChurch, 165 W. 86th St.The event is free to attendand will feature actorsportraying Juliet, Desdemona, Olivia andOphelia in part-comic religious allegoriesfor the Virgin Mary. WILD BIRDS NEEDCASH The Wild Bird Fund's wildlife rehabilitationand education facility, located onthe Upper West Side, will be NYC's firstwildlife rehabilitation and education center.To raise money for equipment andmedical supplies, the fund will host "WildBird Fund Takes Flight," Tuesday April3, 6:30?9 p.m., at "Birdie" Vanderbilt'smansion at 60 E. 93rd St. The group ishosting a multitude of events that evening,including a speech from acclaimedauthor Jonathan Franzen. Other events will include a self-guidedtour of the historic Vanderbilt residenceand the Carlton Hobbs antiques gallery,a video tour of the new center, a performanceby Dzul Dance, jazz renditions byJennifer Dudley of the song "It's for theBirds," a showing of baby birds, squirrels,owls and hawks, a silent auction and horsd'oeuvres and wine. Tickets are $100 andcan be purchased by contacting BeverlyMastropolo at 917-848-0044 or online athttp://bit.ly/GCXNPr. FAMED DEBATERS ONGOD, GAYS AND GUNS On Thursday, March 29, Dr. CornelWest and the Rev. Osagyefo Sekouwill host a discussion about Sekou's newbook, Gods, Gays, and Guns: Essays on Religion and the Future of Democracy,at West-Park Presbyterian Church, 165W. 86th St. West is one of the nation'smost prolific authors and a known criticalactivist who participated at OccupyWall Street last year. Sekou is consideredone of the most influential religious leadersof the current generation. His workas an on-the-ground activist has landedhim in post-Katrina New Orleans and theWorld Culture Center in Berlin. There isno advance ticketing and doors open at6:30 p.m. For more information,call the Rev. Bob Brashear at646-541-3329. LOCAL COUNCILCANDIDATE HIRESBIG GUN Ken Biberaj, the latest candidateto declare for the soon-tobe-vacant Upper West Side City Council seat, has hired veteranpolitical consultant firm Sheinkopf Ltd.to work on his campaign. The hire signalsa serious move from a largely unknowncandidate; Hank Sheinkopf has workedon many high-profile political campaigns,like President Bill Clinton's re-electionand Mayor Michael Bloomberg's lastelection. "As an Upper West Sider myself, I'mthrilled to work with a candidate who hassuch a compelling vision for the neighborhood'sfuture," said Sheinkopf in astatement. "We're working hard, speaking withvoters and small business owners to conveymy campaign's message," Biberaj said. Biberaj previously told the West SideSpirit in an interview that one of his toppriorities is to get out in the communityand introduce himself. Biberaj, who servesas vice-president of the Russian Tea Roomand works in commercial real estate, is upagainst three other candidates who haveeach served on Community Board 7 and are arguably more familiar faces on theUpper West Side. FREE TAX HELP ON THEUWS Sitting down to go over the taxes is anevent most would equate with torture.However, residents of the Upper WestSide can rest easy with several free sessionsthat condense the processes behindfilling out tax forms. The AARP will host anumber of sessions at several libraries andcommunity centers during tax season toeducate the public about filing their taxes: ? The Bloomingdale Library, 150 W.100th St., will host classes every Fridaythrough April 13 from 10:30 a.m. to2:30 p.m. Call 212-222-8030 for moreinformation. ? The Morningside Heights Library,2900 Broadway, will host a session everyMonday and Saturday through April 16from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Call 212-666-5099 for more information. ? The Riverside Library, 127 AmsterdamAve., will hold classes every Thursdaythrough April 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.Call 212-870-1810 for more information. ? The Project FIND Hamilton SeniorCenter, 141 W. 73rd St., will hold classesevery Tuesday through April 17 from 10a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 212-787-7710 for more information. ? The West Side Campaign AgainstHunger, 263 W. 86th St., lower level willhold classes every Tuesday throughApril 17 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 1p.m. to 3 p.m. Call 212-362-3662 for moreinformation. ? Community Tax Aid at GoddardRiverside Community Center at 647Columbus Ave. near 92 Street will cater tosingle adults with income of up to $25,000or families with income of up to $45,000.Bring last year's tax forms and other relevantdocuments. Class will be held everyTuesday through April 10 from 6?8 p.m.