Tribeca Film Festival Seeks Volunteers

The Tribeca Film Festival, which will take place May 6–11, is seeking volunteers for a wide range of activities, including ticket distribution, registration of filmmakers, publicity, and coordination of screenings, parties and panel discussions. Festival organizers invite anyone interested in volunteering to attend a networking event on Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 5-7:00 p.m., at Lush Lounge, 110 Duane St. Cash bar, 21 and over. For more information, call the volunteer line at 212-941-2404 or go to www.tribecafilmfestival.org.

Switzer Leaving P.S. 234 for Tweed

Anna Switzer announced last month that she is leaving P.S. 234, the school she has led for 11 years.

The principal will be the director of the Tweed Academy, a small school in the Tweed Courthouse that will provide two-week “residencies” in reading, writing and social studies to rotating classes of third and seventh graders from schools around the city. The academy will be housed within the Department of Education’s headquarters in the immaculately restored landmark on Chambers Street, behind City Hall.

“It’s never easy to leave a place you love so much,” Switzer said of her Tribeca school, where she began as an assistant principal in 1986. But she called her new position “the perfect place for me to go. It keeps me Downtown, it keeps me in a school with kids and it enables me to do the work I’m passionate about: social studies and curriculum.

Switzer, whose successor is yet to be named, said she expects the first residency to begin in late spring, when she will begin to split her time between the two jobs.

With many of the “essential ingredients in place,” the principal said that she is not concerned about her old school’s future, “Change is a good thing for every community,” she said, “and 234 can stand by itself.”

Historic District Extension

The City Planning Commission last month approved an extension to the Tribeca South Historic District. The extension, which includes 28 buildings on Chambers, Warren and Murray streets between Church Street and West Broadway, was supported by the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission and Community Board 1. But at a December hearing, several City Planning commissioners had questioned its timing and appropriateness. The City Council is expected to approve the extension

Internships at the D.A.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Legal Bound summer internship program offers junior high and high school students the chance to work with assistant D.A.’s and their staffs and get an inside look at the criminal justice system, while improving their work skills and resumés. Applicants must be between 14 and 17 (18 if still in high school) and live in Manhattan. To apply, send a resumé and an essay explaining your legal interests to Community Affairs Unit, New York County District Attorney’s Office, One Hogan Place, Rm. 824, New York, NY 10013. Interviews will be scheduled during after-school hours through April. For more information, call 335-9082.

Proceeds from the fair, which is organized by the PTA, helps pay for music programs, art supplies and science equipment at the elementary school.

Activities, including games, face painting and hair braiding, will be held in the gym and cafeteria of the school, which is at the corner of Greenwich and Chambers streets.

Vendors will sell a wide variety of items, including crafts, jewelry, children’s toys and games, used children’s clothing and used books.

The school’s orchestra will perform, along with singer and pianist Roy Bailey. Salads, pasta, hot dogs, baked goods and other treats will be available.

Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children, with additional charges for tickets to participate in games and crafts.

For more information, to volunteer or to donate merchandise, call the PTA office at the school, at 385-9864, during morning hours.

Talk on Disciplining Kids

The Battery Park City Parents’ Association is sponsoring a free lecture on Feb. 26 entitled “Discipline: Setting Appropriate Limits for Your Children.” The talk, at 7 p.m. in the Liberty Club Lounge at 200 Rector Pl., will be given by Julie A. Ross, executive director of Parenting Horizons and author of books on parenting.

Teen Chefs

High school seniors are invited to enter the Best Teen Chef in America competition, which will award more than $190,000. The regional round of the competition takes place on March 29 at the Art Institute of New York City (formerly the New York Restaurant School), at 75 Varick St. Interested students should go to www.ainyc.aii.edu or call 800-654-2433.

Borders Opening

The new Borders Books and Music store at 100 Broadway will open in late May or early June, according to the company. A tentative opening date had been set for Saturday, May 24, but that will probably be changed to a weekday in early June.

Electric Bus Service

A free shuttle bus service, using fully electric buses, is scheduled to begin operating in late spring, according to the Alliance for Downtown New York, which will run the service. The buses will run back and forth along a U-shaped route between the western end of Chambers Street and the South Street Seaport, going through through Battery Park City, around the tip of Manhattan at Battery Park, and up Water Street. Geared toward Downtown residents, workers and tourists, the buses will run seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The five-mile round trip is expected to take one hour.

Photo Competition

Soho Photo Gallery, at 15 White St., is accepting submissions for its annual National Photography Competition. Anne Ellgood, associate curator at the New Museum of Contemporary Art, will serve as juror. The first place winner will receive a month-long solo show at the gallery and a $500 cash prize. Approximately 20 second-place winners will appear in a group show in July. Entries of up to six 35mm slides and a $30 fee must be received by April 26. Information and and an entry form are at www.sohophoto.com.

Museum Closed

The Museum of Jewish Heritage will be closed through March 15, as the new wing, now under construction, is attached to the existing building.