“We firmly believe that students exposed to the arts will not only lead more fulfilling lives, but be better prepared for higher education and careers in the 21st century economy,” Reynold Levy, president of Lincoln Center, said in a statement.

LINCOLN SQUARE GYMNASIUM OFFERS FITNESS CLASSES FOR KIDS
The Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center, 250 W. 65th St., is now offering dodgeball and general fitness classes for girls and boys ages 7 to 11.

Starting Tuesday, Feb. 5, there’s a fitness/dodgeball program for kids ages 9 to 11. Sessions are from 4 to 6 p.m.; $20 per session or 10 sessions for $180.

A similar program for kids ages 7 and 8 starts Thursday, Feb. 7. The times and prices are the same.
Register Jan. 24, 29, 31 and Feb. 4 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the center.

More classes are coming in April, including Saturday Recreation. All classes are held in the Lincoln Square Center Gymnasium and directed by certified PE teachers.

Learn more by calling 212-874-0860 or visit lsncny.org/.

STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT
Celebrate tolerance with the Jan. 29 panel “Making the Connection and Organizing for Change: Anti-Muslim Hate Speech, Government Policies, Police Surveillance and Stop and Frisk.” This event will be held at the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew at West 86th Street, with panelists including Muneer Awad, the executive director of the New York Chapter for Islamic Relations, and Alan Levine, a civil rights attorney.

This is the second in a series of three civil rights talks sponsored by the Jews Against Islamophobia Coalition.

RESTAURANT WEEK UNDER WAY
Restaurant Week, which is now more like three weeks, kicked off on Monday, Jan. 14. Hungry customers can choose from a wide array of NYC’s best restaurants, and eat a three-course gourmet dinner for just $38 per person ($25 for lunch). The deals end on Feb. 8. Upper West Siders wanting to stay in the neighborhood can enjoy a meal at participating restaurants like the famous Bar Boulud (Broadway and 63rd Street), the Mediterranean seafood joint Fish Tag (79th and Broadway) or the upscale Mexican Rosa Mexicano (near Lincoln Center).

HELP FIND TRACY HARPER
A missing-person poster has appeared at a bus stop at Amsterdam Avenue and 66th Street. Tracy Harper, an African-American woman, age 48, was last seen at this intersection. She was last seen on Jan. 7 wearing a gray peacoat, jeans and black shoes. Anyone with further information is urged to call the NYPD tips hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.

Pinder is survived by her son Chitepo, father Joseph and brother Duane, along with a niece and nephew and two grandchildren.

Pinder, who joined the center in 1999, revamped the facility to make it an integral part of the community for residents of the Amsterdam Houses, a public housing project in the West 60s. She worked to renovate the physical space and expand programs to meet an economically diverse community.

“When she first got there, Lincoln Square Center was deader than a doorknob,” said Fredda Vladeck, who met Pinder three days after she joined the organization. “She created the space and environment that [let] people actually believe that what they thought mattered and they could make a difference.”

Though Pinder was executive director, she often pitched in answering telephones and took time to get to know visitors, board members and staff.

“She didn’t adhere to a 9 to 5, Monday through Friday schedule,” said Katie Cunningham, vice president of the center’s board of directors. “She really took time to know people who came to the center and getting to know people who support the center. That requires a lot of time and commitment.”

Council Member Gale Brewer, who met Pinder 20 years ago, praised her leadership on raising money, forming ties to community stakeholders and bringing in a retirement program that let seniors age in their homes.

“I will miss Stephanie Pinder more than I can ever express here,” Brewer said in a statement. “We looked to her for the advice and knowledge that comes with years of experience in leading programs that truly help families and individuals.”

She was one of only two African-American directors of settlement houses in the city, according to Brewer’s office.

A viewing in Harlem, where Pinder grew up, is scheduled Jan. 7 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Benta’s Funeral Home, 630 Saint Nicholas Ave. at 141st Street. The funeral follows from 6 to 8 p.m.

The burial will be held Jan. 8 at 10 a.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, 501 E. 233rd St. A meal and prayer will follow the burial at 1 p.m. at Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center, 250 W. 65th St. between West End and Amsterdam avenues.

Pinder’s family requests contributions to the neighborhood center in lieu of flowers. Condolences can be sent to her brother and son at the center.