The Woodhaven Residents' Block Association will hold their monthly Town Hall meeting this Saturday, October 20, 1 p.m., at the Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corps (78-15 Jamaica Avenue). We will dedicate part of the meeting to a forum with our Councilman Eric Ulrich and our State Senator Joe Addabbo, who are running against each other for the chance to represent most of Woodhaven in the State Senate. This might be your last opportunity to see both candidates at the same event before Election Day on November 6.
A few other notes that are likely to come up on Saturday:
** 2012 Aktion Club Donations - Each Christmas the WRBA collects donations for the developmentally challenged adults of the Forest Park Aktion Club. They hold a Christmas party each December and the donations we raise are used to purchase small Christmas gifts for them (click here for some beautiful pictures and video of the 2009 Party). A $10 donation will cover the cost of a gift for 1 adult meaning that we need to raise about $500 to make sure that no one gets left out. Donations will be collected at our next 2 Town Hall meetings -- they can also be dropped in our mail slot. To get things started, the WRBA will be donating their half of the 50/50 for the next two meetings!

** House of Horrors finally sealed - In August, we began our push to seal up a house on 90th Street. This vacant house, which has been inhabited by squatters and attracted a huge amount of trash and vermin, had been dubbed the "Hell House" and the "Woodhaven House of Horrors." That abandoned house had been the scene of an illegal party where a young man was attacked and beaten to death a year and a half ago. After alerting the media to conditions at the house, city agencies quickly moved to seal up the house. Unfortunately, it was breached again. We didn't give up, though, and we're happy to say that it has been sealed once more -- and this time, it was done well. We hope neighbors on 90th Street feel they can reclaim their block. Click here to learn more about our successful efforts to shut down the Hell House. You can also click here and here to learn more about addressing the general problem of vacant homes in Woodhaven.
** WRBA position on Rockaway Rail Line - Three weeks ago, we held a very well-attended forum on the inactive Rockaway Beach Rail Line, which runs along 98th Street. The forum included two presentations: one in favor of reactivating the train tracks, and another supporting converting the tracks into a cycling and jogging route called The QueensWay. After carefully considering the views of the many residents who weighed in on the matter, the WRBA has announced that it does not support either the reactivation of the rail line or the Queens Way at this time. The WRBA also calls on the city to act as responsible neighbors and clean up that property, which has been left to rot for decades. Click here to read our entire position statement.
** City Council redistricting - The borders of City Council districts will be changed this year, and a commission is in charge of the redistricting. The commission released its preliminary maps, and it was good for Woodhaven, placing almost the entire neighborhood within one district. The WRBA submitted testimony to the commission, praising its proposal but encouraging it to tweak the map so that every part of Woodhaven would be included in the district. This year, we have fought tirelessly to ensure Woodhaven is fairly represented at all levels of government.
** Joe Virgona - The WRBA was saddened to report the passing of one of Woodhaven's most beloved residents, Mr. Joe Virgona. He was one of a kind and he will be missed. Click here to read a tribute to Joe, and click here to view a beautiful tribute video that Joe's family put together.
** Blessing of the Pets. Emanuel United Church of Christ will be holding their annual Blessing of the Pets on Saturday, October 27th at 11 AM (corner of 91st Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard). Even if you don't bring a pet to be blessed, it's a beautiful event to attend - click here to view last year's blessing. This is a great event for children and there will be a mini pumpkin patch and apple cider on sale.
** K9 Korral Halloween Costume Contest - From 1 to 3 PM on October 27th at the Dog Run in Forest Park (85th Street and Park Lane South) there will be a Halloween Costume Contest for Dogs (with a Hot Dog Bobbing Contest, as well). They will also be collecting blankets, towels, sheets, etc., all materials that can be used to keep animals warm. They will also be collecting donations of cat and dog treats. For more information, call Charlotte at 917-337-7613.
** Halloween at the Carousel - Also on October 27th, at the Forest Park Carousel, there will be a “spooktacular” birthday party for Cido the Clown, from 2 to 5 PM. There will be free magic shows, a costume contest for kids, free birthday cake– and all guests wearing costumes get 1 free ride for each one they buy. Click here for more information (click here for a Spanish version). Please note that this will be the next to last day of the year for the Forest Park Carousel. The very next day, Sunday October 28th, will be your last chance to climb aboard our historic ride until Spring 2013.
** WRBA Halloween Costume Contest - Each year, Jamaica Avenue is flooded with costumed kids on Halloween (click here for a taste) -- and the WRBA will be outside our office (84-20 Jamaica Avenue) from 4 to 6 PM handing out candy to the kids. We will also be holding a costume contest for kids 12 and under ($50 First Prize, with two $25 runner-up prizes). Please feel free to come down and join us, help us hand out candy, help us be good will ambassadors to our neighbors!
** Trash or Treasure - Veteran Appraiser Eddie Costello's Antique Roadshow is coming to the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society on Wednesday, October 31st at 1 PM at Emanuel United Church of Christ (91st Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard - enter through the 91st Avenue entrance). Click here to see his last visit to Woodhaven. All paid members of the Historical Society are guaranteed 1 appraisal. Other attendees may get the opportunity to get something appraised if time permits, but no guarantees. But attendance is free -- come and enjoy the show!
** We hope everyone enjoyed the Woodhaven Street Fair this past Sunday! It was a beautiful day, and we managed to sell a lot of WRBA t-shirts, which build pride in our neighborhood at the same time as they help to support our organization financially.

** Community Calendar - Remember that we are maintaining a calendar of events happening in our community. Please e-mail us if you'd like relevant events to be added to it. The calendar is embedded in the homepage of our website and it is also available here. And here's a short, easy-to-remember link to the calendar: bit.ly/WoodhavenCalendar.
Hope to see you Saturday!
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