Archive for March, 2007 Page 3 of 5

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Snow Day!!

Published
by
jcassermere
on March 16, 2007
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

snowflake.bmp

To children, snow days are gift from above. Where exactly? Clouds. When fat, frosty flakes fall at warp speed covering everything uncovered, what was supposed to be a day of education quickly turns into a day of recreation.

However, many in the “real” world have an altogether different experience. “Snow days are actually broke days for me,” said Allison Brown, music teacher and teaching assistant, “because I work two part-time jobs and get paid by the hour.” Similarly, many working parents are forced to take personal days because their children are home, babysitters can’t get to them, and day care centers are closed. And even those who find childcare are faced with extremely dangerous road conditions and extended commuting times.

Unfortunately, residents also pay a considerable price due to the cost of snow removal. In the Village of Ossining, taxes increased 10% this year. According to the budget, $361,440 was budgeted for snow removal this year, up almost 12% from last year.

With that said, there are some working adults sharing in the kids’ merriment over snow days. Village workers, snow plow operators, and yard shovelers wake up extra early to greet the day and earn some pay. Michael James, freelance plower and yard maintenance worker, welcomes snow days with open arms. “When the snow stops, it’s easy money. If you work for the Village, it’s easy money too because you’ll be working even beyond when it stops, and you’re getting paid time and a half.”

*Snowflake template

Tax Help

Published
by
Matty V
on March 16, 2007
in Manhattan and Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

Image appeared on stefanella.blogspot.com/2006 03 01 archive.html (image may be scaled down and subject to copyright)

Washington Heights is a community made up of many poor, immigrant families. Having financial issues is a common occurence amongst these families. Thanks this year to The Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights (NMCIR), tax season won’t be one of those. NMCIR has recently instituted a program called “Cash Back 2007″ which is meant to assist recent immigrant and low-income families, who are residents of upper Manhattan, with their taxes free of charge. Services are available from 4:00 - 8:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Anyone seeking further information should contact them by phone at (212) 781-0355 or by email at info@nmcir.com.

Parking in Co-op City, yeah right!

Published
by
plassiter
on March 15, 2007
in Not New York
. 2 Comments

Co-op City is known for its affordable housing and mini-malls that surround the neighborhood, which is why many people consider moving there. However if you have a car, you might want to think twice.

The parking garages in Co-op City have been under construction for about 4-5 years now. Riverbay Corporation tried to alleviate the situation by allowing drivers to park in th Peartree lot and the Greenway. Unfortunately Riverbay recently let residents know that they can no longer park in the Peartree lot; also that drivers from certain garages may not park in the Greenway or else they will be forced to tow cars.

To make matters worse, the city has started construction on the streets so most of the day many blocks can’t be used to park. Once the workers leave for the day, they park their huge trucks on the street taking up space that could be used for residents. When asked about the parking situation Ms. Gloria Wharton, President of building 9B, said “Oh, oh, oh yeah the parking. The restoration started about five years ago. We hope to have one lot finished soon– at least one.”

Woodbridge Driving for Cleaner Air

Published
by
vstrachan
on March 13, 2007
in Not New York
. 2 Comments

New Jersey, though notorious for its smoked filled sky line, and mysterious whiffs of factory smoke, took steps to address concerns over C02 emissions in the air; Woodbridge is one of several townships equipping their municipality fleet with cost efficient hybrid vehicles, and making a statement about where they stand on issues of the environment.

Woodbridge officials added 12 hybrid cars to the township’s fleet, its largest ever purchase of environment-friendly vehicles. Mayor John McCormac and the township environmental commission presented the new Ford Escape SUV’s during a meeting at town hall. The cars arrive officially in April and will be used by the township’s engineering and code inspection officers. Woodbridge also applied to be apart of the New Jersey Bio-Diesel Fuel Rebate Program which will help to make 139 of its vehicles run on biodiesel fuel. Biodiesel fuel is a substitute made from renewable organic sources such as soy bean oil, usually blended with petroleum.

Other notable efforts have taken place in Highland Park with its “Green Challenge”, an initiative launched this month, which ties all of their environmental endeavors into one united effort. High land Park took several steps already to bring awareness to this cause. One such example can be seen with their municipal hall which operates under solar panels.

In the annual fifteen minute walk I make from my house to the Woodbridge train station everyday, I can’t help but have a greater appreciation for the environment, and even greater need for it to be at its best . I am excited about the steps some townships in New Jersey took towards going green. While, they are just small steps hopefully this attitude toward our environment will spread and we can make more of a national effort to decrease our dependency on foreign resources and protect our environment with cost efficient alternatives.

To read more about Highland Park’s efforts to go green check here: http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/middlesex/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1173591995133590.xml&coll=1

To read more about Woodbridge’s purchase of hybird cars check here: http://www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-2/117273017774610.xml&coll=1

Neighborhood Art Project: “Take a Seat”

Published
by
agrzegrzolka
on March 13, 2007
in Queens and Uncategorized
. 2 Comments
 
22 year-old, Caroline Woolard, a Cooper Union student received more attention for her art installation then she bargained for. Her project “Take a Seat” was all about reclaiming public space, and she did just that when she installed plastics seats in outdoor places, in Williamsburg- Greenpoint and the East Village, where she felt the general public would benefit. The blue seats are bolted through holes on poles of “no parking” and “no standing” signs. Unfortunately, her art installations are to be removed because according to the City Wide Vandalism Task Force, installing anything on to street signs is vandalism. For complete story click below…
http://www.blockmagazine.com/block_stock_barrel.php

Islip Seeks Help from its Community Members

Published
by
Sthomas
on March 13, 2007
in Uncategorized
. 1 Comment

In search of somethng to call its own, the Islip Chamber of Commerce presented a business proposal to the community in which a new center of the arts would open up. Due to the loss of the Islip movies, theater members of the community feel like it’s time to try something new. The new arts theater would include original productions, popular plays, classic plays, children films and a combination of comedy club and night club. The only problem is that the group does not have enough finances to get this project started. They also lack the support of local businesses and sought help from the town board hoping to gain its support.

Cultural Change for the Last Half Century

Published
by
Simone
on March 13, 2007
in Queens and Uncategorized
. 1 Comment

Many residents of Cambria Heights remember the 1970s when they were the minority in the neighborhood. The once predominantly white community, has know become a middle class black, mostly Caribbean community.

In this NYTimes article, the writer presents two different views on why Queens is becoming a middle class black borough. Not only have blacks surpassed whites in regards to income, but also West Indian blacks have outshined black Americans in economic status. This is evident with the background of business owners located in Cambria Heights.

One side of the article talks about the substantial impact of the large and continuing migration of whites to Long Island and elsewhere for the approximately the last forty years.

Mrs. Pendleton, a black woman, moved into the neighborhood June of 1969. August of the same year her next-door neighbor moved. One day while in her backyard, she overheard the owner of the house behind hers mention to another neighbor that she had to move before she was “stuck” because of the foreseeable drop in property value. “I have the benefit of being right there without the high property taxes”, stated Mrs. Pendleton. Like Mrs. Pendleton, many blacks either cannot afford to leave Queens or face more opposition by moving into Long Island.

The other side, states that blacks are using the opportunities available, and West Indian blacks especially value them. More blacks are graduating from college and working in professional careers. Angela Webb, an RN and her husband, a business owner came to the US from Jamaica to seek a better life. “Lack of participation and appreciation that black Americans portray in their everyday lives contribute to their failures”, stated Webb. She feels that native blacks have not used the available resources to make their lives productive and successful.

The neighborhood is still changing with the recent sprinkling of Latino, Jewish and Asian residents. Cambria Heights is just another example of the melting pot that makes this country so unique and the continuing change of its demographics.

Bloomberg, give Pedestrians a helping hand!

Published
by
LSapir
on March 13, 2007
in Uncategorized
. 3 Comments

img_2544.JPGSunday March 4th–The Citywide Coalition for Traffic Relief and their supporters gathered on the steps of city hall to demand pedestrian safety. 

One hundred concerned community leaders and activist rallied to demand safety improvements to city intersections and a laundry list of other concerns they want Bloomberg to address. 

Alongside demonstrators stood families of victims who lost their lives in fatal accidents.  Among the families, Audrey Anderson, the mother of Andre Anderson, a four year old boy killed by an SUV in September 2005, who wants justice and harsher punishments to traffic violators.  This is the only way we are going to get changes, said Anderson.

Transportation Alternatives proposed a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan that includes….

● Fixing the most dangerous streets and intersections

● Adopt a Street Maintenance Policy that prioritizes pedestrian safety measures

● Eliminate turning conflict

● Extra protection for the most vulnerable New Yorkers  

●Criminalize and prosecute traffic fatalities

While Karla Quintero of Transportation Alternatives gave a bilingual mission statement, her supporters held white paper hands high in the air when asked by Quintero,

“How many of you have been affected by pedestrian injuries and fatalities.” 

Quintero explains, “The hands represent the simple humanity of each crash victim.  Their stories should not be reduced to statistics.  Each victim had a life, dreams, a family–they should be honored and respected, not discarded and forgotten.”

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What is to follow the Greenpoint Warehouse fires?

Published
by
abigail
on March 12, 2007
in Uncategorized
. 1 Comment

On May 2nd of 2006, a dramatic seven alarm fire blazed through and virtually destroyed the Greenpoint, Brooklyn warehouses. The warehouses which occupied just over 3 blocks along the East River were mostly vacant at the time of the tragic fire, there were no casualties. The culprits of this great blaze were 2 homeless men that claimed to have been igniting copper cabels with gasoline.
Today, the warehouses are an eyesore to say the least. With property values and the growing desire to move to this north Brooklyn neighborhood on the rise, what will become of the old burnt down warehouses? As the one year bench mark since the fires approach many residents have grown curious as to when work on the dead buildings will start and when apartment complexes will arise. However, when the new apartments are built will they take away the beautiful views of East Manhattan that many Greenpoint residents love about their neighborhood? One thing for sure is that controversy and disagreements regarding the aftermath of the fires will follow for the inhabitants in this up and coming neighborhood.

More stories

Photos

A New Vacation Spot for a loved one

Published
by
obodrunova
on March 12, 2007
in Staten Island and Uncategorized
. 1 Comment

            Since we are concentrating on businesses in the neighborhood, there has been a particular place which has been getting a lot of attention, even media coverage in South Beach, Staten Island. A prestigious hotel, where the guest are treated like royalty, an on site hospital and rooms with themes. However, you and I can not stay there –only our pets can.

           The Bay Street Animal Hospital’s Dog Hotel and Catnip Chalet, is considered one of the best pet hotels in the tri-state area, and it is located in the very small, not too familiar part of Staten Island. The hotel is extremely well kept, and the animals are well taken care of, being walked and fed three times a day, with a 24 hour on call veterinarian, and plenty of staff to offer companionship. However what this particular hotel is being praised for; is their Themed Suits. The hotel has suites which are decorated to fit a particular theme, so the pet can feel as though he/she is on vacation too. The suits include a Beach room, filled with beach chairs, tropical print towels and pillows. Among many other themes, there is a Princess room, a pink room filled with fluffy pillows and blankets and a Grand Prix room, where the walls are decorated with steering wheels.

            So the next time you are hesitating to go away while leaving your beloved pets behind. Know that there is a vacation spot for them, right here in Staten Island. A hotel, which to them might be better then your own.   

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