Woodhaven

Woodhaven Block Party - Saturday June 23rd

The Woodhaven Residents' Block Association is sponsoring a neighborhood Block Party on Saturday, June 23rd from 11AM to 6PM at the Picnic Grove in Forest Park, near the Seuffert Band Shell.  Cold soda, hotdogs and hamburgers will be provided to members -- but EVERYONE is invited to come and enjoy an old-fashioned Block Party.

Throughout the day we will be having "workshops" for the kids on how to play some of the classic games of our youth -- including May I, Simon Sez, Ringoleavio and Skully.  Somehow, we can see a few of the adults getting down on the ground to flick bottlecaps around!

And, if all goes as we expect (and hope) the kids will have one of the all-time best rides right across the street -- The Forest Park Carousel.

Around 1:30 we'll be having a small awards ceremony to honor locals residents who have contributed to the community.  And throughout the day we'll have a running Woodhaven Trivia game going between tables (or groups) with a grand prize of a complete set of Woodhaven History Books (including the famous "History of Woodhaven and Ozone Park"), courtesy of the Woodhaven Historical Society.

There is no cost, this is not a fundraiser -- just come out and have fun with your friends and neighbors.  

Please RSVP with a number of attendees by June 10th so we can plan accordingly -- open to all Woodhaven Residents, present and past -- as well as friends of Woodhaven -- e-mail us at info@woodhaven-nyc.org.

Hope to see you all there!

 

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.

 

Forest Park Halloween Canine Costume Contest

On Saturday Oct. 29th, the residents of Woodhaven and the surrounding communities will gather at the Forest Park Dog Run (85th Street and Park Lane South) for the Annual K-9 Korral Halloween Costume Contest.  The gathering begins at 1 PM and the festivities will continue until 3.  Refreshments will be served - you do not have to have a pet to come down and enjoy the fun.  Judging begins at 2 PM -- there will be prizes for Best Costume, Best Original Costumer, Best Group -- make sure you stay and enjoy the Bobbing for Hot Dogs contest at 2:45.

Please help keep the homeless cats and dogs warm and comfortable by donating Comforters / Blankets / Sheets / Pillowcases / Quilts / Baby Blankets, fleece, cotton or flannel fabric etc.  Cat and Dog toys and treats are needed, as well.  All of these items will be collected these items on the same day as the K-9 Korral Halloween Costume Contest (Saturday Oct. 29th).  These items will be handed over to the Animal Care and Control Shelter on Linden Blvd.

For more information on the Costume contest or the collection, or if you have stuff for the collection that needs to be picked up, please call Charlotte at 917-337-7613.  The rain date for this event is the next day, Sunday October 30th from 1 to 3 PM.

Golf Benefit in Woodhaven to Fight Autism

On Thursday, October 13th at 10 AM, residents of Woodhaven and surrounding communities of Queens, Brooklyn, Manahattan and beyond will gather at the Forest Park Golf Course to participate in a fundraiser to help research, treat, and find a cure for autism.  For a donation of $125, participants will play 18 rounds of Golf, including use of a motorized golf cart, free beverage & food tickets and donors’ names placed on www.neirstavern.com as autism participants. 

Learn more about Autism here.

Local civic leaders, FDNY, union and municipal employees with children with autism have been invited to speak at the event, the 2nd time such an event has been held.  All non-golfers can attend the after-party at Neir’s Tavern (87-48 78th Street, Woodhaven NY 11421) for a donation of $65 which includes a Buffet Dinner, an Open Bar from 4 to 7 PM, a 50/50 raffle, Live Music and over $2,000 in prizes all evening.

Last year's event began when a resident of Woodhaven and close friend of Dave Ross and John Nardella was stricken with cancer and had no funds to fight it.  Ross and Nardella approached local business owner Loycent Gordon, of Woodhaven’s historic Neir’s Tavern, about doing a golf outing for this beloved resident. They joined forces and resources to hold the first annual golf benefit in 2010. The event was such a success that they continued with it this year with a focus on fighting autism. “A community is only as strong as its' weakest link so we listen to what the community tells us and use this golf benefit to fund that gap” says Gordon.

In the last 12 months Neir’s Tavern & Café have raised over $14,000 dollars for different charities including Haiti relief, Cancer Benefit for little CJ and The Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corp among others.  For More information contact Loy Gordon at 212-920-1560 or Dave Ross 646-752-6599 or go to www.neirstavern.com.

Forest Park Attempted Rapist Sought

Your help is needed is apprehending a man sought in the attemped rape of a woman on Wednesday, September 7th at 10 AM in Forest Park.  The woman was jogging with a group of people on one of the running paths in the park and had fallen behind the others.  The woman passed the suspect, who was headed in the opposite direction -- he then made a U-Turn and approached the victim from behind and attempted to sexually assault her.  Here is a sketch of the attempted rapist --

Description: Male, White, Approximately: 30-35 years of age, 5'10" - 6'0", 190-220 pounds. 

Light Blond Scruffy Facial Hair.  Last seen wearing a Navy Blue Baseball Cap, a Navy Blue windbreaker-type jacket, Tan Khaki Cargo Shorts and White Sneakers.

Click Here For A Printable WANTED Poster

Notify the Queens Special Victims Squad with any information regarding the above subject.

Re: UF61 # 5795, CASE # 441

DETECTIVE MALLOY -- 718-520-9277