Woodhaven

Woodhaven Blockwatchers - February 20th

On Wednesday, February 20th at 8 PM the NYPD's Community Affairs Bureau will be in Woodhaven to discuss the Blockwatcher program.  So far, the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association has signed up over 50 residents who are interested in making our community better and safer.  Here is a map of Woodhaven with approximate locations of Blockwatchers --

Is your block covered?  A Blockwatcher can report anything suspicious within the confines of the precinct -- but everyone is more likely to see and notice suspicious activity that takes place closer to their home.

How is your section of Woodhaven covered?  Hopefully you aren't waiting for someone else to volunteer. 

Do you feel the neighborhood could be safer?  Well, what are you waiting for?  Sign up now!

You will not be asked to go on patrol.  You will not be asked to confront anyone.  You are merely signing up to take a training course, a few hours of your time -- and then you will be given an ID Number to use when calling in suspicious activity.   Please consider filling out an application now (click here for an application).

At the very least, we ask you to come donw on the 20th to hear what the program is about. 

Wednesday, February 20th at 8 PM at the Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Woodhaven / NYPD Kicks Off BlockWatcher Program Feb. 20th 8 PM

The February Town Hall meeting of the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association has been moved to Wednesday, February 20th at 8 PM - the meeting will be held at the Ambulance Corps (78-15 Jamaica Avenue).

We have moved this meeting to a weekenight to accomodate our special guests, the NYPD's Community Affairs Bureau, who are coming to Woodhaven to discuss the Block Watcher Program.  So far, the WRBA has signed up over 50 residents who are interested in participating in the program to make our community better and safer. 

We are asking everyone who has already signed up to attend this meeting.  And if you did not sign up?  There's still time -- come on down anyway.  They will answer all your questions about the program -- you can fill out an application here.

The NYPD's Community Affairs Bureau will also give a brief presentation on the many other programs they have available -- we may find that some of them are useful and of interest to our community.

Hope to see you there!

 

 

Woodhaven Town Hall - Saturday, January 19th @ 1PM

The residents of Woodhaven will gather for the first time in 2013 on Saturday, January 19th at 1 PM at the Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corps (78-15 Jamaica Avenue).  The WRBA wants to start off the new year by encouraging the residents to step up and tell everyone which issues need the most attention.

But before we open the floor to complaints we will give everyone an update on the Redistricting of Woodhaven -- and we will be accepting applications to become Block Watchers (you can get your application by clicking here).  Block Watchers do not go out on patrol - nor are you asked to confront anyone.  You will attend a 3-hour course given by the NYPD which will spell out your responsibilities -- but in a nutshell you will call in reports of conditions.  For example, recently there was a report of prostitution along Rockaway Boulevard -- you would be given a number to call and a unique ID so you could report the condition and because you had a valid ID, the NYPD would know that you had been through the training -- that you are one of their Block Watchers.

We are also going to try something we did about a year ago -- we will be holding a "Straw Poll" to determine what issues need the most attention.  We will have a table full of cups -- each one will have an issue written on it -- Parking, Graffiti, Dirty Streets, etc.  You will be given 7 straws and you will be asked to put them in the cups (or issues) you feel need the most attention.

 

You may feel so strongly about one issue that you drop all 7 straws in that cup -- you may divide them up between two issues (4 in one cup, 3 in another), or maybe you divide 7 straws into 7 issues.  The issue you care about might not even be on the table -- if not, you will be able to add it.

During the meeting we'll open the floor to the residents to speak up about the issues they feel deserve the most votes and attention -- we'll pass the microphone around and hear from everyone.  Then we'll open up the voting -- tally up the straws and reveal the results.  If you want to see the results from the last time we did this, click here.

These results will be shared publicly, with our elected officials, with the Community Board, with the NYPD -- so if you have an issue that you feel needs more attention you need to show up at this public meeting (there are no absentee straw ballots, sorry).

We hope to see you on Saturday!

 

Woodhaven Residents Hold `Sandy Toy Drive'

The Woodhaven Residents' Block Association (WRBA) is sponsoring a Toy Drive for the children who were impacted by Hurricane Sandy.  The Hurricane's path of destruction included families of every race, every nationality, every economic class -- and those families are struggling to get back on their feet.  With all of the work that's ahead of them, Christmas might not be a priority -- and we don't want to see the young children in the impacted areas suffer more than they already have.  With that in mind, the residents of Woodhaven will be accepting donations this coming weekend -- we've cleared off two tables in our office at 84-20 Jamaica Avenue that we hope to see filled with toys --

We'll be collecting toys Friday Night starting at 4:30 PM until 10 PM.  Friday Night is also Woodhaven's Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony (starts at 6:30) -- so if you're coming to the tree lighting, bring a small toy or gift and drop it off.

We'll also be at our office all day Saturday, from 10 AM until 5 PM -- accepting donations.  Saturday is the annual Christmas parade -- and the WRBA is holding it's 2nd Annual Parade watching party.  We get a bunch of residents together, we go out into the street with noisemakers, and we make big noise as the parade marchers pass by.  (We estimate that the parade will pass by our office around 12:30).  Come out and meet your friends and neighbors -- and bring a small toy for the kids.

We are accepting new, unwrapped toys -- some suggestions:

- Board Games
- Stuffed Animals
- Dolls
- Toy Cars (Hess Trucks)
- Coloring Books/Crayons
- Puzzles
- Legos
- Gift Cards to Toys R Us, Target, WalMart, etc.*

Please note:  Giving a gift is not a requirement if you'd like to come to the party.  The residents of Woodhaven have been beyond generous. Hope to see you all this weekend.

Woodhaven Prepares for Hurricane Sandy

As youare no doubt aware, a storm of significant size is approaching our area -- at this point it looks as if it will hit our area sometime Monday evening.  At 7.p.m. tonight the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will begin to orderly suspend of all subway, bus and commuter railroad service including the Metro-North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road. People should stay off the roads as much as possible. Conditions may become dangerous, and any traffic would impede our emergency services. 

All NYC Schools and Libraries are closed tomorrow.

If you are on Twitter, Mayor Mike Bloomberg's feed is a good one to follow to get updates on what's open and what's closed -- click here for Mike Bloomberg on Twitter.  For more local information you should also follow The Woodhaven Residents' Block Association,  the WRBA's Alex Blenkinsopp, and ProjectWoodhaven. 

Remember - if you are a Block Captain we will be reaching out to you for reports on conditions on your block.  Does your block have a captain?  Click here to see the latest map. 

Should a tree (or branch) come down, blocking your street -- CALL 311 -- make sure you write down the complaint number -- then report it to the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association via email at [email protected] or by calling us at 718-296-3735.  Do not report it to the WRBA without calling 311 first.

Do not underestimate this storm - use today to ensure that you are prepared.  Take a few moments to tour your front and back yards - as we are expecting high winds, please make sure that any loose items are stored away.  Make sure your gas tank is full.  Make sure your cell phones remain on charge.  Make sure you have ample working batteries for flashlights, radios, etc.  Be prepared for the worst - be prepared to be without electricity and/or water for a few days.

(Click here for some ideas on items you make need to stock up on.)

Take a few moments to review where all your important papers are -- make sure your insurance forms as safe and easily located. 

Should utility lines fall DO NOT TOUCH THEM. Even if the line is for another utility (cable or phone) the line could be charged with electricity due to a problem elsewhere in the system. TREAT EVERY UTILITY LINE AS IF IT WERE LIVE. If you observe a downed utility line call 311.

For additional information and tips regarding power, visit National Grid's Hurricane Sandy Page.

If you have an elderly neighbor please do take a few moments to check in on them and make sure they are okay.

What To Do In High Winds - Some Dos and Don'ts in the event you are caught outside in high winds.

Wind and Water Protection - Some tips on protecting you and your family from wind and water damage.

Protecting Your Pets - Some tips on protecting your pets during an emergency.

Do not take any unnecessary chances -- be careful -- stay safe.

Woodhaven Town Hall - Saturday October 20th

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!

Woodhaven Town Hall - Saturday August 18th

The Woodhaven Residents' Block Association will meet at the Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corps (78-15 Jamaica Avenue) on Saturday August 18th at 1 PM.  Click here or here to read about our July Meeting.

The WRBA meets monthly to discuss issues and keep the residents up-to-date on what's happening in our community.  It is a terrific opportunity to meet and get to know your elected officials as well as the men and women of the 102nd Precinct.

Come out and be a part of the solution -- hope to see you there.

 

WRBA Plans Battle Against Mailbox Graffiti

The Woodhaven Residents' Block Association recently surveyed the entire neighborhood and found that out of 77 mailboxes, both green and blue, 44 of them (or 57%) had been tagged by graffiti vandals.  "Some of these mailboxes were painted over just a few weeks ago as part of our graffiti cleanup.  We're going to have to be just as persistent as the vandals," said WRBA President Edward Wendell.

Note:  Graffiti will be one of the issues on the table for discussion at Woodhaven's monthly Town Hall meeting in July, this time on a rare Friday Night -- July 27th at 7 PM -- at the Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corps (78-15 Jamaica Avenue).

The WRBA reached out to local elected officials early Monday for supplies to do battle with, particularly blue and green paint.  Assemblyman Mike Miller responded immediately and by early that afternoon, the WRBA was in possession of 8 cans of green and 4 cans of blue paint.  

The WRBA has released the following schedule of small graffiti cleanups, each event lasting approximately 90 minutes.  

• Saturday, July 14th (10 am)
• Tuesday July 24th (6 pm)
• Saturday, August 4th (10 am)
• Thursday, August 9th (6 pm)
• Sunday, August 19th (10 am)

If you are interested in taking part in this project, please contact the WRBA by leaving a message at 718-296-3735 or emailing them at [email protected].  

Here are the findings of the WRBA mailbox survey.  Woodhaven was divided into 3 zones --

• Zone A - Woodhaven Boulevard to Richmond Hill Border / Park Lane So. to Atlantic, including the part of 94th Street North of  Park Lane So., and the Co-ops.  10 Green mailboxes, 4 tagged.  6 Blue, 1 tagged.  Total 16/5 -- 31% tagged.

• Zone B - North of Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven Boulevard to Forest Parkway.  South of Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven Boulevard to 85th Street.   Park Lane So. to Atlantic.  22 Green mailboxes, 10 tagged.  12 Blue, 5 tagged.  Total 34/15 -- 44% tagged.

• Zone C - North of Jamaica Avenue, Forest Parkway to Dexter Court.  South of Jamaica Avenue, 85th Street to Elderts Lane.   Park Lane So. to Atlantic / Rockaway.  20 Green mailboxes, 19 tagged.  7 Blue, 5 tagged.  Total 27/24 -- 88% tagged.

Total:  52 Green mailboxes, 33 tagged.  25 Blue mailboxes, 11 tagged.  The Grand Total was 77 mailboxes with 44 of them tagged, or 57%.

Here are the locations of each mailbox in Woodhaven.  It is entirely probable that we have missed one or more mailboxes.  Please review the area near your home and let us know if we have missed any.

Zone A

Zone B

Zone C

WRBA & 102 Pct. Battle Residential Noise

With the arrival of warm weather comes a wave of noise complaints from residents of Woodhaven.  And the 102 Precinct gets deluged every night, but particularly weekends, by 311 Noise complaints.  Captain Martin Briffa of the 102 told us this week that on this past Saturday Night (June 16th) the 102 Precinct had 17 concurrent noise complaints.  It's a problem that's spiraled out of control.

Take a look at the following map, which highlights the locations of residential noise complaints in Woodhaven since the beginning of May.  Larger yellow circles represent a higher number of calls.

The WRBA is working closely with the 102 Precinct, speaking with them regularly over the past few weeks.  They are working hard on the problem and we are very happy to report that they issued 11 summonses this past weekend -- at $150 a pop!  We are hopeful that this tactic continues and alters the behavior of chronic noise abusers.

Other chronic noise abusers received personal visits from the 102 Precinct and were issued warnings.  If you have a chronic noise abuser on your block, and you are frustrated -- tortured by loud parties that go on until all hours of the night -- you should work with the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association.  We have handed over a list of chronic noise abusers to the 102 Precinct -- these are locations that (a) residents have reported to us; and (b) have multiple 311 reports.

You need to call 311.  We've spoken to residents who say calling 311 is a waste of time, but if you feel that way you are not looking at the big picture.  Calling 311 helps to build a case against chronic noise abusers and makes it easier to resolve those issues.

If you have a chronic noise abuser on your block, contact the WRBA -- email us at [email protected] or call us at 718-296-3735.  We can't promise that the noise will cease immediately -- but we can promise it will get attention and that's the 1st step to solving the problem.

If you do not work with the WRBA, you will be working on your own to resolve your problem -- making it much more likely that you will have a noisy summer.

Woodhaven Town Hall Sat April 21 - MOVED

Please be aware that Saturday's Town Hall meeting of the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association has been moved -- it will take place at 1 PM Emanuel Church of Christ at 91st Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard.  (Did you know that Emanuel is celebrating their 135th Anniversary this year?)

Should be a very interesting meeting -- we anticipate meeting at least 2 of the candidates for Congress -- we'll be handing over a check for the money the residents of Woodhaven raised for the Woodhaven Volunteer Ambulance Corps -- we have a special guest from the School Sisters of notre Dame coming by to say hello -- and we'll discuss what we learned from the 311 fundraiser -- and we'll be announcing big plans for graffiti cleanup (and a big statement on enforcement).

Being we are on the other side of Woodhaven for a change, we hope that some of you will take the opportunity to come out to meet your friends and neighbors and be a part of the community.  The WRBA is a collection of Woodhaven Residents who work to improve our community -- read about our accomplishemnts and positions by clicking here.

The WRBA continues to thrive and survive on minimal funding.  We do ask our residents to try and join -- it's low cost and membership adds up to keep the organization alive.  Join at the next meeting you attend, or click here to join online.

Hope to see you Saturday!