MarineParker.net

MEETING NOTICE
* TUESDAY *
FEBRUARY 23^rd, 2010 @ 8:00 P.M

P.S. 222 – Auditorium

3301 Quentin Road

Concerns about the neighborhood?  Crime? Development?  Go to tonight’s MPCA meeting and have your voice heard!

As discussed on MARINEPARKER  last week, the recent rise in crime has had many local citizens alarmed, and rightfully so.  However, these crimes are not just central to Marine Park, as Mill Basin has been targeted as well.  Last month, MPCA President Greg Barruso told the 63rd Precinct:

There was an armed robbery on Avenue S and East 37th Street last week where three 17-year-old kids were held up and they took their money and jewelry,” he said. “I’m not happy that there’s been nine robberies since November. I want to know, what are you doing about it? You have no arrests, you have no descriptions.

At last week’s Mill Basin Civic Association, Lieutenant Robert Haley had very similar concerns.  With both local neighborhoods now being seen as easy targets, its important for neighbors to be vigilant and if something appears to be suspicious, call it in to the 63rd Precinct. 

In addition, the next MARINE PARK CIVIC ASSOCIATION meeting will be held on Tuesday February 23rd at 8:00 PM in the P.S.222 Auditorium – these issues NEED to be addressed.

Click here to read the entire Courier-Life article.

The Salt Marsh Nature Center (3302 Avenue U) is hosting a series of FREE ongoing programs for the month of February:

• Early Morning Birding, Saturdays at 8 AM
• Pilates, Tuesday February 16^th at 3 PM-4 PM
• Yogalates, Tuesdays February 9^th & 23^rd at 3 PM-4 PM
• Yoga, Thursdays at 9 AM
• Photography, Thursdays at 11 AM
• Zen & the Art of Drawing, Friday February 19^th at 1 PM
• History Club, Sunday February 14^th at 1 PM
• Relax with Marilyn, Saturday February 13^th at 1 PM

In addition, there are some SPECIAL programs this month as well:

• History Club: The History of Valentine’s Day, Sunday February 14^th 1 PM
• Photography Club: Guest Lecture by Photographer and Author Dick Hunt, Sunday February 21^st 1 PM
• Discussion: Flower of the Month: Iris, Saturday, February 6^th 1 PM
• Discussion on Owls: “Who, Who, Who Did I Eat?” Saturday, February 21^st 1 PM
• Evolution of the Field Guide, Sunday, February 28th

KID’S WEEK AT THE MARSH: Take advantage of these programs during Midwinter Recess!

• Monday February 15^th – Build a Bug @ 10 AM and Animal Tracks @ 1 PM
• Tuesday February 16^th – Portable Adventures @ 10 AM and Create a Nature Collage @ 1 PM
• Wednesday February 17^th – Owl Pellet Dissection @ 10 AM and Children’s Winter Nature Hike @ 1 PM
• Thursday February 18^th – Portable Adventure @ 10 AM and Backyard Bass Ice Fishing Derby @ 1 PM
• Friday February 19^th – Build a Bird Feeder @ 10 AM and Fun with Map and Compass @ 1 PM

Source: http://samrainer.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/haiti.jpg

From NewYorkPost.com, courtesy of Thomas Tracy of Courier Life:

Neighborhood residents will soon be joining the ongoing effort to help the thousands of families devastated by last week’s earthquake in Haiti.

Local elected officials and members of Millennium Development announced the kick-off of a massive fundraising/collection drive for the embattled residents of the mountain country.

Over the next two weeks organizers will be collecting canned goods, non-perishable food and financial donations at local legislative offices and through Millennium Development’s senior centers and after school programs in Mill Basin, Marine Park, Flatlands, Midwood, Bergen Beach, Flatbush and Canarsie.

The drive is being sponsored by City Councilmembers Lew Fidler (D-Mill Basin) and Mathieu Eugene (D-Flatbush), Assemblymember Alan Maisel (D, Marine Park) and other local elected officials.

“If every other kid attending these programs brings in a can, we’ll be in good shape,” Fidler told members of the 61st Precinct Community Council last week. “We all know someone who has family and friends in Haiti. We need to step up and do what any civilized nation ought to which is provide humanitarian relief.”

City Councilmember Jumaane Williams (D-Flatlands), who has also joined the effort, is among legislators allowing cans and perishables to be dropped off at his office at 4517 Avenue D.

“Ideally financial contributions are needed,” Williams said. “We are working with the Red Cross, UNICEF and Wyclef Jean’s organization until the infrastructure in Haiti is in place to distribute the supplies.”

Because ports and airfields are either closed or clogged, monetary donations will provide the most immediate help, Fidler noted, although canned and non-perishable food and medical supplies will be needed in the coming weeks.

Monetary donations will be given to groups supporting the relief effort, organizers said. Checks should be placed in a sealed envelope with the word “Haiti” written on it, and be payable to either the American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders or American Jewish World Service.

Paul Curiale, Executive Director of Millennium Development, said that not only will the children attending his organization’s programs help those in need, they will learn something about community service.

“Letting the kids know how important it is to help fellow human beings in time of need is a terrific object lesson for them,” he said.

LOCAL LOCATIONS ACCEPTING DONATIONS:

• Lew Fidler’s office, 1402 East 64th Street
• Alan Maisel’s office, 2424 Ralph Avenue
• Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein’s District Office, 3520 Nostrand Avenue
• Bergen Beach Active Adult & Senior Center, 2335 Bergen Avenue
•  Marine Park Active Adult & Senior Center, Avenue U and East 33rd Street    

Millennium Development youth programs that will be collecting donations (from after-school children only) include: 

• IS 78, 1420 East 68th Street
• PS 255, 1866 East 17th Street
• PS 251, 1037 East 54th Street
• PS 236, 6302 Avenue U
• PS 222, 3301 Quentin Road
• PS 207, 4011 Fillmore Avenue
• PS 203, 5101 Avenue M

Anyone wishing more information can contact Lew Fidler’s office at (718) 241-9330.

The Good Shepherd Christmas Tree, as pictured above, is beautifully lit for the Christmas season.  In addition, as part of their Sunday Evening Recital Series, the Good Shepherd Chancel Choir Soloists and Orchestra will perform George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” (Part 1) on Sunday, December 13th at 6:00 PM.  The recital is free of charge.

What a great event to get one into the holiday spirit!  Click here for more information on the Music Ministry.

Brownstoner has requested readers to submit their favorite buildings and MarineParker is excited to announce that the Lott House is the first one featured.  In stark contrast from the buildings and neighborhoods that Brownstoner typically covers, we are very excited that the Lott House (as well as the Wyckoff-Bennett House on East 22nd Street) has been featured.  Click here to read the post.

Thanks, Brownstoner!

I love Marine Park around Halloween because so many houses decorate so festively.  Happy Halloween everyone!

This years Halloween walk was a mixed bag of fun and some disappointment. Disappointing only because the threat of rain forced the walk inside the nature center, and not on a trail like it was in previous years.

Fortunately enough…all of the volunteers stepped up and played the hand they were dealt offering the community a great event.

Once inside the nature center Marine Park Civic was offering free group pictures that they would print for you on the spot.

Local politicians State Senator Marty Golden and Councilman Lew Fidler were handing out apples and candy. After getting candy and apples for the kids, family’s walked into the nature center yard where characters were, then out the path to the street with more characters along the way.

Photo Gallery

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MEETING NOTICE
* TUESDAY *
OCTOBER 27th 2009 @ 8:00 P.M
P.S. 222 Auditorium
3301 Quentin Road between East 33rd and 34th Streets

As part of this year’s Open House New York, I had the opportunity to visit the Hendrick Lott House.  Although the exterior of the house has been fully restored, the interior still needs further cleaning and restoration.  Nonetheless, the rooms that were available for viewing offered visitors a sense of what life must have been like for the Lott family.  On display were artifacts produced by excavations of the property as well as objects/tools that were located in the basement of the house: