Woodhaven

Woodhaven Residents are Buying a Baseball Team

The residents of Woodhaven are coming together to buy a baseball team.  At the most recent meeting of the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association donations were asked for to sponsor a team in WORKS Little League in the name of the WRBA.  Sponsoring a team costs $400 and the residents contributed mightily on Saturday, donating over $200 bringing the total collected thus far to nearly $280.

Sponsorship is very important to the league and each sponsor means that another dozen or so kids will get the chance to play.  WORKS Little League was formerly known as Rich-Haven Little League and many of the boys and girls who grew up in Woodhaven during the later 50's, 60's and 70's remember playing games up in Forest Park.  The name of the league may have changed, but the commitment to bringing fun and teaching sportsmanship to children is as strong as ever.

The WRBA intends to have fun with their sponsorship, arranging for a parade watching party on Jamaica Avenue on April 14th.  We also intend to gather together as a group and root for our team a few times this season.  It should be a fun time -- something that is good for the community to experience together.

If you are interested in being part of this, in helping us sponsor a team, bring your donation to our next Town Hall meeting, Saturday March 17th at 1 PM at the Woodhaven Volunteer Ambulance Corps (78-15 Jamaica Avenue).  We've rounded second and we're heading towards third base -- so even a dollar or two will go a long way in helping us reach home plate.  If you can't make the meeting, you can mail a donation to the WRBA at 84-20 Jamaica Avenue (or drop it through our mail slot the next time you pass by).

Many thanks to all of the residents who have chipped in thus far -- we look forward to hanging out with our fellow owners and rooting our team on.  Together.

 

Caught In The Act - Illegal Dumping

Here are some pictures of a guy committing a crime.  A nuisance crime, one that contributes to the problem of dirty streets.  And sometimes it may be indicative of another issue -- those who live in (or rent) illegally converted apartments will often look for other places to dump their garbage so as not to attract attention.  We recently got reports of a van pulling up and dumping household garbage by the Forest Park Co-Ops.  

For most of us, the rules are simple.  You place your garbage it in a bag, you tie up that bag, and you put it out in front of your house the night before your scheduled pickup.  Your OWN house.

Here's someone that doesn't play by those rules.  Basically, we were out taking pictures of recently erected No Parking Signs on 96th Street near 89th Avenue when we saw a guy drop a black bag of garbage on top of a pile of clear garbage bags outside of PS 306.  It was done very casually, without much concern that anyone was watching.  

It was done with the confidence of someone who has done this before.

Later, when we got home, we went back and looked at the first picture we took:

And we zoomed in on the guy walking down the street in the background -- and there he is, carrying a large garbage bag in his left hand and a smaller bag in his right hand.  Please take note of the pile of clear garbage bags that he's going to be passing soon.

Now take a look at this guy -- the large garbage bag has been dropped (you can see it on the pile) and he's switched the small bag to his other hand.

Here's his bag -- mixed in with the rest of PS 306's garbage.  Someone else has added a black garbage bag to the pile.

We've heard complaints from residents of 96th Street that the school leaves their garbage out constantly -- it's a source of irritation to the residents on the block and will be addressed.  The way it is piled around the hydrant is also a concern.

But we've also heard that other people -- such as this dolt -- use the constant presence of garbage at the location as an invition to add to the mess.  

If the folks on this street were wondering who was adding to this unsightly mess -- look no further.  Here's your man.  

Note:  This creep's face has been blurred for this post -- the pictures we pass along to DSNY will not be blurred.  We don't know if DSNY will be able to fine this guy based on this evidence -- but if you live in the area and know this guy -- tell him that what he's been doing is completely unacceptable.  

This is just one of the issues the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association works on -- if you live in this community, you can be part of the solution by becoming a member.  Our next Woodhaven Town Hall meeting is this Saturday, February 18th, 1 PM at the Woodhaven Volunteer Ambulance Corps (78-15 Jamaica Avenue).  We hope to see you there.

 

Woodhaven Family Asks For Help Finding Fathers' Murderer

Late last year, while most of us were preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving with our families, the Rosario family in Woodhaven was preparing to bury their beloved Carlos, who was murdered on November 20th at his tire shop in Brooklyn.  Two months have gone by without an arrest, but the Rosario family wants to make sure that Carlos' murder is not forgotten and that the case receives the full attention that it deserves.

After reaching out to the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association, Carlos' daughter Ismelda agreed to come down to the next monthly Town Hall meeting to tell us about her dad and the efforts underway to make sure justice prevails.  Here is a clip of that meeting:

 

We will be in communication with our elected officials and our representatives in the NYPD to make sure that everything is being done to capture the person who took this good man from his family.  We will also reach out to the mayor's office to see if we can expedite the process of doubling the reward money from 12 to 24K.

As residents of Woodhaven, we need to do all that we can to stick together -- to stand by each other -- to back each other up when needed.  This goes for everything -- from street changes, to noise issues, or issues with gangs and/or illegally converted houses -- to situations as serious as this.

Share this blog post.  If you have friends and family in Brooklyn, especially anywhere near Bushwick, send this to them.  Ask them to share it.  Help us spread the word.  Carlos Rosario was a resident of Woodhaven, he was one of ours.  Stand by his family and help prevent this case from being forgotten.

If anyone has any information about this heinous crime, please call 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).   Click here for a printable version of the reward poster.

See:

The Forum - A Daughter's Quest

 

 

 

Public Hearing on Street Changes February 1st

By a near unanimous vote, Community Board 9 tabled the votes on two proposed street changes that will greatly impact Woodhaven.  This was done in the wake of an announcement by DOT Queens Borough Commissioner Maura McCarthy that there will be a public forum on these changes on Wednesday, February 1st at 7 PM at St. Elizabeth's -- 84th and Atlantic Avenue in the lower church (side entrance in the back of the church parking lot).

We need a strong turnout at this meeting -- this is our opportunity to demonstrate how these changes are going to impact our lives.  At the CB9 meeting the other night, several residents gave voice to the community's complaints about these street changes.  And one resident from Ozone Park stood up to complain how the change on 84th Street would impact her access to friends and family in Woodhaven -- it would force her to drive 16 blocks out of her way.  That's absurd.

And for what reason?  So a few extra residents can get into the Boston Market / CVS parking lot.  Absurd.  

Recently, we've heard that this is being done in the interests of the businesses of Liberty Avenue.  Well, first of all, 87th Street already crosses Atlantic from Woodhaven and carries you deep into Ozone Park (as far South at 101st Avenue) where you can easily access Liberty Avenue.

And there's more -- 

• 77th Street already runs from Atlantic to Liberty.
• 80th Street already runs from Atlantic to Liberty.

So, they want to add yet another way to access Liberty Avenue, this time at 84th Street?  And what will you find when you get to 84th Street?  

A graveyard.

This is absurd.

So, in order to open up a THIRD street of traffic to Liberty Avenue -- they're cutting off a very valuable access point to Woodhaven.  This reasoning does not hold water.

The response from the Woodhaven community has been heated, to put it mildly.  And the response to the proposed change to 89th Avenue is no better.  As local residents learn of this change they are coming forward with tales of how this is going to inconvenience their daily lives.  

One resident, who lives on 89th Avenue just off Woodhaven (PS 60) relates that he now gets home from work by driving down Woodhaven, making a right on 91st Avenue, a left on 96th, a left on 89th, straight across Woodhaven to his home.  Check out what he has to do now --

He has to make a right on 91st Avenue, a left on 96th, go all the way down to Jamaica Avenue, cross Woodhaven and make a left into the service road (which is a difficult turn and adds to the congestion at that intersection) and go up until he can make a right on 89th.

Absurd.

The only way these changes will happen is if we let it happen -- and so, we are asking residents to step forward.  We are going to be handing out flyers this weekend -- if you can spend an hour walking a few blocks,going house to house, putting flyers on gates, etc. then please e-mail us at info@woodhaven-nyc.org.

And please try to attend the public forum on these changes on Wednesday, February 1st at 7 PM at St. Elizabeth's  -- 84th and Atlantic Avenue in the lower church (side entrance in the back of the church parking lot).

These changes will also be discussed at the Woodhaven Town Hall meeting on Saturday, January 21st at 1 PM at the Ambulance Corps (78-15 Jamaica Avenue) where we will also discuss rezoning.

Here is an updated video detailing the changes --

  

 

Street Changes Impacting Woodhaven Being Voted on Tuesday

A pair of street changes that wiull impact Woodhaven will be voted upon by Community Board 9 on Tuesday.  Although the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association was invited to a meeting to discuss one of these changes a year ago, were were not advised or approached since then.  We were also advised that residents would be polled or surveyed about their opinions on this change, but as far as we know that never happened.  If any Woodhaven residents' received a survey about any of these changes, please drop us a line.

UPDATE:  The vote will take place Tuesday, January 10 - the meeting begins at 7:45  and will be held at The Punjabi Palace 91-52 Lefferts Boulevard in Richmond Hill.  If you object to this plan, you can help by coming to the meeting, signing up and speaking for 3 minutes.  You can also help us by dropping a polite e-mail to Community Board 9 at communitybd9@nyc.rr.com or by calling (718) 286-2686.

UPDATE 2:

 

UPDATE #3

Assemblyman Mike Miller has sent a letter and spoke to CB9 about postponing the vote --

 

 

84th Street 

It is proposed to change 84th Street, from One-Way North Bound to One-Way South Bound from Liberty to Atlantic Avenues.  Although this change occurs beyond the boundaries of Woodhaven (on the other side of Atlantic Avenue) it will eliminate one of the main Northbound entry points into Woodhaven.  Once this change goes into place, only Woodhaven Boulevard and 76th Street will be left as Northbound roads that cross Atlantic.

Here is the current map of Atlantic -- notice how 84th crosses Atlantic.  From there , once you make a quick turn on to 85th Street (at 89th Avenue) you can continue all the way through Woodhaven, across Jamaica Avenue all the way up to Park Lane South.

 

Let's look at the proposed change -- the convenient access path into Woodhaven is eliminated.  Residents and shoppers will have to go blocks east or west to get into Woodhaven.  How will this impact emergency services?  How will this impact Engine 293 when they are returning from a run on the other side of Atlantic?  We don't know -- and if there was a study done that asked these questions, the WRBA was never made aware of their results.

89th Avenue

This change may be less controversial.  Then again, as we first heard about it yesterday, perhaps we haven't thought it all the way through.  Again, if residents in the area were polled or surveyed, please let us know.

Currently, 89th Avenue from Woodhaven Boulevard to 97th Street is 2-way.  On the other side of the boulevard, 89th Avenue is one way westbound.

It is proposed to turn 89th Avenue from Woodhaven Boulevard to 97th Street into a 1-way street, eastbound.  If you live on 97th Street near the Avenue, it means you need to drive up to 91st Avenue (two-way) to get to Woodhaven Boulevard.  

Our one concern is that 89th Avenue used to be a straight ride through Woodhaven from 98th to 85th.  In fact, it was identified as one of Woodhaven's PRIMARY ROADS by the DSNY in the aftermath of last winter's blizzards.

Overall, though, that 2nd change doesn't strike us as too bad.  89th Avenue off of Woodhaven is narrow.  

But, again, we have to ask what kind of notification they gave the community -- what kind of feedback did they try and get?

It's not as if the WRBA is hard to get in touch with -- we have phones, fax machines, email -- we're on Facebook, Twitter -- 

And so, the WRBA joins the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation and the Woodhaven Business Improvement District in opposing thse changes and will respectfully ask the Community Board to table these votes until the community can be better involved in the discussion leading up to a vote.

You can help us by dropping a polite e-mail to Community Board 9 at communitybd9@nyc.rr.com

Please ask them to consider tabling the vote --

 

 

Woodhaven Town Hall Meeting on Rezoning Jan 21

The Woodhaven Residents Block Association will host a presentation by the NYC Department of City Planning on Saturday, January 21st at 1 PM.  The meeting will be held at the Woodhaven Volunteer Ambulance Corps (78-15 Jamaica Avenue).  

The new zoning laws will determine the size and shape of Woodhaven in the very near future.  The question is -- do you want Woodhaven to expand housing, to expand development in the resedential areas.  The current proposal seeks to discourage development -- to avoid furthering the overcrowding that has resulted in limited parking, more noise and traffic, more garbage and a depletion of services.  Schools are already complaining of overcrowded classes -- the city has been looking to cut down on services such as transit and firefighting.  

Think of how much worse these problems will be with apartment houses, or extra-large housing popping up all over the place.

This is your best chance to learn about this proposal -- and show support for it to protect your investment in this community.  If you won't speak up to protect your investment, to protect your family, to protect your family -- what exactly will you speak up for?

Saturday, January 21st at 1 PM is your chance to speak up.

102 Pct. Holds Blood Drive January 3rd

The 102nd Precinct works hard to serve and protect the residents of Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, Kew Gardens and Ozone Park 365 days a year.  And now they are turning to those they protect for help for a few hours.  

The 102is holding a Blood Drive on Tuesday, January 3rd from 11:45 AM to 5:45 PM at the 102nd Precinct which is located at 87-34 118th Street in Richmond Hill.  Each donation received will help to save up to THREE lives.

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Bring ID with signature or photo. 
• Minimum weight 110 lbs.
• Age 16 – 75 (16 year olds must have parental permission. Age 76 and over need doctor's note)
• Eat well (low fat) & drink fluids
• No tattoos for past 12 months

For questions concerning medical eligibility call 1-800-688-0900.  For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact 102 Pct. Community Affairs at (718) 805-3215.

WRBA Hosts Red Cross Emergency Preparedness Seminar

 

The Woodhaven Residents' Block Association is helping the residents of Woodhaven prepare for the upcoming winter by hosting a presentation by the American Red Cross entitled "Ready New York." This 45 minute emergency preparedness presentation teaches residents how to create a plan, build a supply kit, as well as keep loved ones safe and informed during times of disaster.  Participants will receive an interactive CD Rom that can be used to create a customized evacuation plan and other tools that will help any family get prepared.  Also included are various brochures from the American Red Cross and the New York City Office of Emergency Management. 

"Last winter we were hit by a massive blizzard right after Christmas and many of our residents were stuck in their homes for almost a week," said WRBA President Ed Wendell.  "We want to make sure that if that happens again, we're all better prepared for it."  The meeting will take place at 1 PM on Saturday, December 17th at the Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Ambulance Corps (78-15 Jamaica Avenue).

The WRBA will also continue signing up residents at part of their Block Captain program, which signs up local residents to be part of a communications network in the event of an emergency.  The WRBA reports that they currently have close to 40% of Woodhaven covered.  "In the wake of Hurricane Irene, we were able to quickly put together a comprehensive report of damage in our community," Wendell said.  "This winter, when we get hit with snow, we'll be able to report directly to the Department of Sanitation and tell them which streets need plowing.  We feel that an orderly, organized approach such as this will help us get better service."

Click here for a full sized version of the map.  

The WRBA was formed in 1972. Its stated purpose at the time remains its mission today: to foster "an interest in civic, social and political affairs." The WRBA advocates on behalf of the residents of Woodhaven, promotes neighborhood spirit by bringing together residents and local leaders, and seeks to engage all in the betterment of our community.

In addition to the upcoming winter, the WRBA will also discuss recent efforts to make changes to the laws regarding illegal signs and give an update on efforts to build a coalition to seek landmark status for the Forest Park Carousel.  We will also discuss the recent arrest of 2 graffiti vandals, arrests that were the direct result of information passed along to the NYPD by the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association.

 

Traditional Holiday Happenings in Woodhaven

The first Friday of December is the traditional kick-off for the Holiday Season in Woodhaven -- and a wonderful weekend of free events kicks off this year's Holiday Season starting next Friday, December 2nd.  But before we get to the list of events, we're going to ask you to consider making a small donation to the Annual Christmas Party for the developmentally challenged adults of the Forest Park Aktion Club.

This is one of the nicest events held each year in Woodhaven -- and these folks deeply appreciate every little gift they receive.  You should see the smiles on their faces, it will warm your heart --

This year, we are asking for donations of basic needs items -- toothbrushes, toothpaste, aftershave, perfume, combs, brushes, etc.  And if you don't have time to go shopping, you can always make a small donation and we'll do the shopping for you.  Last weekend, at the meeting of the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association, we collected about $200 in cash donations and supplies -- putting us at around %50 of what we need.

One simple 5 dollar donation from you will put a smile of the face of one of these kind souls -- please give it some consideration.  You can drop it off at the WRBA's Office (84-20 Jamaica Avenue) -- if we're not there, leave it with the Cleaner next door.  

Or -- you can bring it with you to Woodhaven's First Annual Christmas Parade Watching Party!

Each year, over two hundred marchers (including a school band and members of the Franklin K. Lane ROTC) march in the Annual Woodhaven Christmas Parade from 96th Street and Jamaica Avenue to Eldert's Lane, outside the gates of Franklin K. Lane.  Unfortunately, not too many people come out to see it.  It's a shame, because it's a real nice event --

On the morning of the Parade (Saturday, December 3rd) we're having a party at the WRBA Office -- there will be free bagels, rolls, coffee, tea, etc. -- and when the parade passes by, we're going to go outside and cheer them on and make some noise.

Many people complain about the lack of community spirit these days -- well, here's your chance to show some -- and cheer on some people who are showing community spirit by marching in the parade.  They should be passing by our office (84-20) around Noon -- we're going to start serving about 10:45.  Bring a noisemaker -- and if you don't have one, bring a pot and a spoon and give it a good old-fashioned beating!

The weekend's festivities kick off the night before -- the lighting of Woodhaven's 75-foot Holiday Tree will take place on Friday, December 2nd at 7 PM at the intersection of Forest Parkway and Jamaica Avenue. Local civic leaders, business owners and elected officials will attend the traditional event, which is sponsored by the Woodhaven Business Improvement District.  It's always well-attended and has a very small-town American vibe about it.

There will be numerous costumed characters for the children to enjoy including Rudolph, Frosty, Shrek and Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. They will all hang around after the tree lighting to take pictures with children.  

The Avenue lights, which have been hung from the elevated train for decades, will also get lit.  Can't wait to see how they look on our newly painted El.

On the same evening, the Boy Scouts of Woodhaven -- the same exact chapter of the Boy Scouts that has been continuously operating in Woodhaven since the 1930s -- will be preparing their Holiday Wreaths.  You can drop by Emanuel Church (91st Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard) on Friday Night to watch them build the wreaths (and to get an early pick) --

The wreaths go for $15 -- and they are gorgeous.  Look below to see our wreath from last year, during one of our blizzards.  Why go spend money of a cheap wreath at Home Depot when you can support a worthy organization like the Boy Scouts?  To order one, call Pam or Walter at 718-296-3877 --

To summarize:

• Friday Night (Dec. 2) Christmas Tree Lighting - 7 PM
• Saturday Morning (Dec. 3rd) Christmas Parade Watching Party (After 10:45 AM) 
• Remember to bring a small donation for the Aktion Club and pick up a wreath from the Boy Scouts!

If you have any events you'd like added to the Calendar -- let us know!

 

Woodhaven Plans For Long, Long Winter

The recent Halloween weekend snowstorm may have seemed like a fun novelty, but we're certain that we'll see a lot more of the white stuff over the next 3 or 4 months and it will be anything but fun.  Last year, on December 26th, a major blizzard hit the northeast and most roads in and around Woodhaven did not see a plow until 5 days had passed.  Some streets were still not plowed a full week after the snowfall had ended.  It was a very dangerous situation we all found ourselves in.

The City took a well deserved beating and they worked hard to improve their image, but their performance in the next snowstorm, 3 weeks later, still left a lot to be desired.  It was at that time that the Woodhaven Residents Block Association (WRBA) decided that we needed to be better organized on the ground, to provide better information to the city with the end result being better service in an emergency. We reactivated the Block Captain program here in Woodhaven, looking to sign up at least one representative from each block who we can rely on to pass along information about conditions on their block.  Here's how it works: when a snowstorm hits we send out the word to our Block Captains and they get back to us, letting us know if their street has been plowed or not.  We can then contact the proper agency (e.g. Department of Sanitation) and give them a comprehensive list of what streets need to be addressed.

Our belief is that by providing this information to the city in an orderly and organized manner we will get better service in return.  It will also help us when reporting back to our elected officials on the city's performance.  Currently, we have about one-third of Woodhaven covered by Block Captains, but we'd feel much more comfortable going into this Winter with two-thirds, or more.  What does it require to be a Block Captain?  If you can open your front door and see the street, and you can pass along the status of your street to us via E-mail or telephone, you can be a Block Captain.  Service as a Block Captain is as anonymous as you want - people will not be knocking on your door with their general complaints.

Click Here To See A Map Of Blocks With Captains!

By the way, it's not only for blizzards that we use our Block Captain program - surveying the neighborhood's damage in the wake of Hurricane Irene was made much easier with the help of our Block Captains.  It's a simple and easy way to ensure that we are as organized and prepared as possible for any kind of an emergency.  We will be discussing our plans for the upcoming Winter, and our Block Captain program, at our monthly Town Hall meeting this Saturday, November 19th at 1 PM at the Woodhaven Volunteer Ambulance Corps (78-15 Jamaica Avenue).  A representative of the 102nd Precinct will also be there to discuss the state of Woodhaven.  And, as always, our floor will be open to discuss any issues or problems about Woodhaven you feel needs to be addressed.  We hope to see you there.

If you are interested in signing up, but cannot make the meeting, call our office at 718-296-3735 and leave a message or E-mail us at info@woodhaven-nyc.org.