Local news:
Con Edison started work to abate and demolish retired Transit Authority facilities in the East 75th Street Substation and in the street on East 75th between York Avenue and the FDR as early as Monday, October 6th. The Transit Authority ducts are composed of a concrete like material containing asbestos. As such, the removal process will include all appropriate safeguards. Proposed days and hours of work are as follows:
Inside substation: Monday-Friday, 7am-3pm
Outside substation (i.e. on the street): Monday-Friday, 9am-2pm
We will provide more details as soon as they are available.
I love trees, but trees don't love me. My eyes itch just reading about this:
Upper Green Side has two great events coming up:
· Great East Side Tree Giveaway - Sunday, October 19th at the 92nd Street and
First Avenue Greenmarket, Bette Midler's New York Restoration Project, Million
Trees and Upper Green Side (we're the really small fry here) will be giving away
1,250 trees to individuals, community groups, community gardens, block
associations... Any and everyone who has a place to plant a tree, is willing to
transport it to that place and plant it. There'll be 19 varieties, and both shade and
flowering trees. Think the size of the young "7 gallon" street trees the city plants.
The average or large size granny cart - but definitely not the little ones - are a
great way to get your tree to where you want it. If you want 5 or more trees,
you'll need to have a group identity and email your request to Michael Crowley at
mcrowley@nyrp.org. We don't want a single one of these 1,250 left unplanted!!
Tell your friends !
In case you missed the last electronic recycling opportunity:
· UGS Electronics Recycling - Columbus Day Weekend (October 11th, 12th and
13th) at St. Catherine's Park, First Avenue between 67th Street, 10 am and 3 pm.
Laptops, Desktops, Monitors, Printers, Scanners, Fax Machines, Copiers, Servers,
Mainframes, Routers, Hubs, Modems, Keyboards, Mice, Cables, Hard Drives,
CD-Roms, Circuit Boards, Power Supplies, TVs, VCRs, DVD Players, Audio
Visual Devices, Radios, Stereos, Cell Phones, Pagers, PDAs, Household Batteries
and More. They'll take them all!!
On October 14th, the Carnegie Hill Neighbors, are having
another recycling event at the Church of Heavenly Rest, 2 East 90th Street,
between Fifth and Madison Avenues, 11 am to 7 pm.
Manhattan Community Board 8
SECOND AVENUE SUBWAY /TASK FORCE
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Hunter College School of Social Work
129 East 79th Street, Auditorium
7:00PM
Agenda
1. Construction Update
a. Launch Box update
b. Shaft Site work at 69th and 72nd Streets
2. Architectural finishes and design:
a. 96th Street station
b. 86th Street station, except the entrance serving the east side of Second Avenue at 86th Street* *This entrance is being studied in an Environmental Assessment and will not be discussed at this time.
c. 69th Street entrance to 72nd Street station* *Because the entrance serving the east side of Second Avenue at 72nd Street is being studied in an Environmental Assessment, this entrance will not be discussed at this time. In addition, designs for the 72nd Street station ancillary facilities at 69th and 72nd Streets are not completed. When ancillary facility designs are complete, we will return to Community Board 8 to present them.
Meanwhile, it feels like Spring outside...enjoy!
Monday, October 06, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Things to do and think about
Buy Local:
The Upper East Side Greenmarket: St. Stephen’s Church, East 82nd Street between First and York Avenues, every Saturday from July 12, 2008 through November 22, 2008. Now, more than ever buying local is the way to go.
The benefits of the Big Mac:
Ronald McDonald House of NY will celebrate their 30th Anniversary by hosting a block party on October 4, 2008 from 10:00AM to 4:00PM, East 73rd Street between York and First Avenues. For more information, contact Jim Rooney at 212-639-0182 or visit http://www.rmdh.org/.
Many years ago, I worked for a company that was responsible for coordinating kids from a Ronald McDonald House to a concert of a band that was one of the world's biggest and most popular attractions. We traveled to 31 cities in 29 days, exhausting, but it was one of the greatest jobs I've ever had. Some of these kids were fragile and they weren't going to live much longer; others were going through treatments and the future was still unclear. I cried my eyes out every show as I led these kids to meet the band, after which I filled their arms with free merchandise. Then I watched as they sat in their VIP seats and had the time of their lives. For some, literally. I visited as many of the houses that I could in places like Jackson, MS, Tampa, FLA, St. Louis, MO, Chicago, IL and others. It was a major learning experience. I'll be at the block party.
Get your costumes ready:
The Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum invites you to their Halloween event entitled “Pumpkins & Mask” on Saturday, October 4, 2008, from 2:00PM to 4:00PM, 2 East 91st Street. For more information, call the Membership Office at 212-849-8349 or via email at chmembership@si.edu.
The Upper East Side Greenmarket: St. Stephen’s Church, East 82nd Street between First and York Avenues, every Saturday from July 12, 2008 through November 22, 2008. Now, more than ever buying local is the way to go.
The benefits of the Big Mac:
Ronald McDonald House of NY will celebrate their 30th Anniversary by hosting a block party on October 4, 2008 from 10:00AM to 4:00PM, East 73rd Street between York and First Avenues. For more information, contact Jim Rooney at 212-639-0182 or visit http://www.rmdh.org/.
Many years ago, I worked for a company that was responsible for coordinating kids from a Ronald McDonald House to a concert of a band that was one of the world's biggest and most popular attractions. We traveled to 31 cities in 29 days, exhausting, but it was one of the greatest jobs I've ever had. Some of these kids were fragile and they weren't going to live much longer; others were going through treatments and the future was still unclear. I cried my eyes out every show as I led these kids to meet the band, after which I filled their arms with free merchandise. Then I watched as they sat in their VIP seats and had the time of their lives. For some, literally. I visited as many of the houses that I could in places like Jackson, MS, Tampa, FLA, St. Louis, MO, Chicago, IL and others. It was a major learning experience. I'll be at the block party.
Get your costumes ready:
The Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum invites you to their Halloween event entitled “Pumpkins & Mask” on Saturday, October 4, 2008, from 2:00PM to 4:00PM, 2 East 91st Street. For more information, call the Membership Office at 212-849-8349 or via email at chmembership@si.edu.
And last but not lease:
The mayor is going to propose a plan to revise the city’s 15-year-old term limits law.
If you feel Mayor Bloomberg has been a successful mayor, you may be cheering. If you feel he hasn't done enough and we need a "change" you might be shaking your head in disbelief. I guess we'll have to see how this plays out.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Rescue Me
The renovations continue in my building. How long has it been? Months. Tonight, it got out of control.
Sitting in my apartment, minding my own business, grading papers, I began to smell something funny, gas like, wafting through my pad. At first, I wasn't sure if it was coming from the outside or somewhere inside the building. The window was already open and the fans were on, but it wasn't helping. I discovered that the smell was strongest in the bathroom and that the fumes were coming in through the vents.
I kept grading papers until my head began to ache and I suddenly felt dizzy and weak. By now, my apartment was filled with toxic fumes and I rushed out the door, knocking on my neighbors' doors, but no one answered. I found workers in the apartment two floors below mine and after pounding on the door a man opened it. I told him that fumes were filling the building, especially my place and that they needed more ventilation. He smiled and said, "One half hour more."
I called the management company and left a message with yet another complaint about the renovations going on here: who does this kind of work on a Saturday night? I then called 311 and told my story. I was switched to the Police and told them my story, meanwhile moving to sit right by the window. From there the call went to the Fire Department and within minutes the hook and ladders, ambulance and police were here.
As they came up the two flights I could hear them talking about the fumes. When I opened my door the first two firemen got a good whiff and they asked how I was doing. I had my huge cat in my arms, very heavy cat, and the fireman made sure I had enough ventilation while some of the others spoke to the workers downstairs and went to speak to the super. I didn't even think of going to the super. I wanted something done right away. Plus, I was too light headed to go back down the stairs. Before they left, the firemen told me to be sure to call if there was a problem.
I heard the firetrucks pulling away and went back to the window when there was a knock on my door and it was a policewoman and man checking to make sure that I was okay. One of the officers even apologized for not getting upstairs sooner because they were stuck behind the firetrucks. Both officers acknowledged the fumes and said if I needed anything else to be sure to call.
By now, I was feeling very tired and went back by the window and sure enough, a knock at my door. It was the EMT's. She asked if I was feeling any chest pains and took my information for a report reflecting that they had offered to take me to the hospital. And then she asked if I needed to go to the hospital. No thanks. I said I was okay, just a bit lightheaded and she said, "So are we--from those fumes."
I don't know exactly which company or precinct they came from, but it was somewhere on the UES. All of the people involved, from the 311 operator to the EMTs were exceptionally professional and extremely kind and caring. I feel so lucky to have had so many people helping to take care of this situation, which could have been so much worse.
I'm going to find out where they all came from and send my thanks. It's a great feeling to know that I am so well protected in my neighborhood on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
Sitting in my apartment, minding my own business, grading papers, I began to smell something funny, gas like, wafting through my pad. At first, I wasn't sure if it was coming from the outside or somewhere inside the building. The window was already open and the fans were on, but it wasn't helping. I discovered that the smell was strongest in the bathroom and that the fumes were coming in through the vents.
I kept grading papers until my head began to ache and I suddenly felt dizzy and weak. By now, my apartment was filled with toxic fumes and I rushed out the door, knocking on my neighbors' doors, but no one answered. I found workers in the apartment two floors below mine and after pounding on the door a man opened it. I told him that fumes were filling the building, especially my place and that they needed more ventilation. He smiled and said, "One half hour more."
I called the management company and left a message with yet another complaint about the renovations going on here: who does this kind of work on a Saturday night? I then called 311 and told my story. I was switched to the Police and told them my story, meanwhile moving to sit right by the window. From there the call went to the Fire Department and within minutes the hook and ladders, ambulance and police were here.
As they came up the two flights I could hear them talking about the fumes. When I opened my door the first two firemen got a good whiff and they asked how I was doing. I had my huge cat in my arms, very heavy cat, and the fireman made sure I had enough ventilation while some of the others spoke to the workers downstairs and went to speak to the super. I didn't even think of going to the super. I wanted something done right away. Plus, I was too light headed to go back down the stairs. Before they left, the firemen told me to be sure to call if there was a problem.
I heard the firetrucks pulling away and went back to the window when there was a knock on my door and it was a policewoman and man checking to make sure that I was okay. One of the officers even apologized for not getting upstairs sooner because they were stuck behind the firetrucks. Both officers acknowledged the fumes and said if I needed anything else to be sure to call.
By now, I was feeling very tired and went back by the window and sure enough, a knock at my door. It was the EMT's. She asked if I was feeling any chest pains and took my information for a report reflecting that they had offered to take me to the hospital. And then she asked if I needed to go to the hospital. No thanks. I said I was okay, just a bit lightheaded and she said, "So are we--from those fumes."
I don't know exactly which company or precinct they came from, but it was somewhere on the UES. All of the people involved, from the 311 operator to the EMTs were exceptionally professional and extremely kind and caring. I feel so lucky to have had so many people helping to take care of this situation, which could have been so much worse.
I'm going to find out where they all came from and send my thanks. It's a great feeling to know that I am so well protected in my neighborhood on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Time Goes By
I swore I wouldn't watch any of the coverage of the attacks, yet found myself listening to the conversation Katie Couric had that morning with a woman who witnessed the first plane hitting the tower. She was down in Battery Park, right there. Along with this are the images televised that morning. Time really hasn't made this any easier.
Like so many others, I find it hard to believe that it's been seven years since the attacks on September 11, 2001. I tend to gauge the mood of my students before bringing it up for discussion in my classes. You never know how this event may have impacted a student, especially since so many of them live downtown. I usually start out by asking them how old they were when this happened. Most of them were seven or eight years old and because of that I don't get too political or show too much emotion.
There were a few years following the attacks in which a number of students said they weren't impacted by the events on 9/11 at all. At first I was shocked to hear this, but then I realized that many of these remarks were made by students who were in denial and overwhelmed by the enormity of it. Of course, there were those who lived or were going to schools out of town, so naturally their experiences were different.
This year, all of my students said that they were definitely touched by it and the level of their compassion and concern was very high. Still waters run deep.
Riding the Elevators in the Sky
By Anne Sexton (1975)
As the fireman said:Don't book a room over the fifth floor
in any hotel in New York.
They have ladders that will reach further
but no one will climb them.
As the New York Times said:
The elevator always seeks out
the floor of the fire
and automatically opens
and won't shut.
These are the warnings that you must forget
if you're climbing out of yourself.
If you're going to smash into the sky.
Many times I've gone past
the fifth floor,
cranking upward,
but only once
have I gone all the way up.
Sixteenth floor:
small plants and swans bending
into their grave.
Floor two hundred:
mountains with the patience of a cat,
silence wearing its sneakers.
Floor five hundred:
messages and letters centuries old,
birds to drink,
a kitchen of clouds.
Floor six thousand:
the stars,
skeletons on fire,
their arms singing.
And a key,
a very large key,
that opens something –
some useful door –
somewhere –
up there.
Now, here's some fun stuff:
**The 92nd Street Y is introducing its new season and logo with a video featuring 92 famous faces who have appeared at the Y. Name at least 30 correctly, and you and a guest can be the lucky winners of a one-of-a-kind Year's Membership to 92Y. Watch and enter at www.92Y.org/MUG.
**Join NYC Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn's Team to March for Marriage Equality this Sunday!!
Please join Speaker Christine Quinn for the 5th Annual Wedding March! We will be walking with Marriage Equality New York to support same-sex couples' right to marry. The march will kick-off at City Hall Park, proceed down Park Row and across the Brooklyn Bridge, and wrap-up in Cadman Plaza. There will be food and a festival in Brooklyn, along with artists, speakers and performers. Come out and support this great cause and meet others who are interested in LGBT causes.
Details
Sunday, September 14, 2008
City Hall Park (Take the R, W trains to City Hall or the 4, 5, 6 to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall or the 2, 3 to Park Place or the J, M, Z to Chambers or the A, C, E to Chambers)
We will start marching around 11:00 AM. Volunteers and participants, please join us at 10:45 AM sharp. We will have signs that say "Speaker Christine Quinn Marriage Team." We will meet in front of the fountain in City Hall Park (on the north side, facing City Hall).
Activities: Walk with the Speaker! Sign up others for future volunteer activities, meet fellow activists and distribute information on the Council's record on LGBT issues.
Please let us know if you would like to attend. You can RSVP to Tony Simone at (212) 788-6887 or http://us.mc342.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=tsimone@council.nyc.gov.
For questions or directions the day of the event, please contact Josh Aronson at (917) 331-2413 or http://us.mc342.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=josh.lovinga@gmail.com.
And last but not least: If you're like me, confused about the plans for Ground Zero (as in, nothing is happening) here's a good article to help you figure things out.
Like so many others, I find it hard to believe that it's been seven years since the attacks on September 11, 2001. I tend to gauge the mood of my students before bringing it up for discussion in my classes. You never know how this event may have impacted a student, especially since so many of them live downtown. I usually start out by asking them how old they were when this happened. Most of them were seven or eight years old and because of that I don't get too political or show too much emotion.
There were a few years following the attacks in which a number of students said they weren't impacted by the events on 9/11 at all. At first I was shocked to hear this, but then I realized that many of these remarks were made by students who were in denial and overwhelmed by the enormity of it. Of course, there were those who lived or were going to schools out of town, so naturally their experiences were different.
This year, all of my students said that they were definitely touched by it and the level of their compassion and concern was very high. Still waters run deep.
Riding the Elevators in the Sky
By Anne Sexton (1975)
As the fireman said:Don't book a room over the fifth floor
in any hotel in New York.
They have ladders that will reach further
but no one will climb them.
As the New York Times said:
The elevator always seeks out
the floor of the fire
and automatically opens
and won't shut.
These are the warnings that you must forget
if you're climbing out of yourself.
If you're going to smash into the sky.
Many times I've gone past
the fifth floor,
cranking upward,
but only once
have I gone all the way up.
Sixteenth floor:
small plants and swans bending
into their grave.
Floor two hundred:
mountains with the patience of a cat,
silence wearing its sneakers.
Floor five hundred:
messages and letters centuries old,
birds to drink,
a kitchen of clouds.
Floor six thousand:
the stars,
skeletons on fire,
their arms singing.
And a key,
a very large key,
that opens something –
some useful door –
somewhere –
up there.
Now, here's some fun stuff:
**The 92nd Street Y is introducing its new season and logo with a video featuring 92 famous faces who have appeared at the Y. Name at least 30 correctly, and you and a guest can be the lucky winners of a one-of-a-kind Year's Membership to 92Y. Watch and enter at www.92Y.org/MUG.
**Join NYC Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn's Team to March for Marriage Equality this Sunday!!
Please join Speaker Christine Quinn for the 5th Annual Wedding March! We will be walking with Marriage Equality New York to support same-sex couples' right to marry. The march will kick-off at City Hall Park, proceed down Park Row and across the Brooklyn Bridge, and wrap-up in Cadman Plaza. There will be food and a festival in Brooklyn, along with artists, speakers and performers. Come out and support this great cause and meet others who are interested in LGBT causes.
Details
Sunday, September 14, 2008
City Hall Park (Take the R, W trains to City Hall or the 4, 5, 6 to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall or the 2, 3 to Park Place or the J, M, Z to Chambers or the A, C, E to Chambers)
We will start marching around 11:00 AM. Volunteers and participants, please join us at 10:45 AM sharp. We will have signs that say "Speaker Christine Quinn Marriage Team." We will meet in front of the fountain in City Hall Park (on the north side, facing City Hall).
Activities: Walk with the Speaker! Sign up others for future volunteer activities, meet fellow activists and distribute information on the Council's record on LGBT issues.
Please let us know if you would like to attend. You can RSVP to Tony Simone at (212) 788-6887 or http://us.mc342.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=tsimone@council.nyc.gov.
For questions or directions the day of the event, please contact Josh Aronson at (917) 331-2413 or http://us.mc342.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=josh.lovinga@gmail.com.
And last but not least: If you're like me, confused about the plans for Ground Zero (as in, nothing is happening) here's a good article to help you figure things out.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Scheduled Outage
If they only knew just how apropos this really is. The scheduled outage is set to happen on this particular blog, www.blogger.com, in about 10 minutes. I've finally gotten back in gear and was ready to blog and now this. I'll type fast and do what I can and come back later.
Speaking of outages, my back has been out for over a month, which made swimming, walking, goofing around and other fun activities impossible. On the hottest day of our last heat wave my air conditioner began blowing warm air and I had to hustle to get resolve that issue. Long, long story short: Heat blowing out of a/c, jump on Internet to suss out deals, find something good at Best Buy, have to buy it on the telephone, encounter problems regarding someone coming to install air conditioner, made many calls to check, double check, cajole, argue and almost beg.
I remembered that I had a similar situation six years ago when the last air conditioner (a dinosaur that came with the apartment) died on another heat wave day (97 and climbing). I knew that there was a small shop on my block that sold air conditioners so I went dripping in sweat over there. Only because my head was about to burst from the heat, I ran to the bank to get cash (they wouldn't take a check or credit card) and with 5 minutes to spare bought the darn thing. I begged them to have it delivered and installed right then and for almost $400 I had cold air again. Rip off, sure.
So, this time I was desperate again and even though I already had one coming from BB, I called the shop, now on another block, and spoke to someone about wanting to "buy local" and told him what I needed. After way to much time on hold, the guy comes back and mumbling numbers tells me that he can sell me a unit and have it delivered and installed for $849!!! I'm still laughing. I couldn't contain myself and was screaming with laughter into the phone. I used the words are you blanking kidding me, what are you nuts? Even the most affluent person wouldn't give you that much for a 5000 BTU air conditioner. (please tell me that's true) That's the last time I'll ever call Cool Air on 76th Street. OH! Did I say the name?
Anyway, to finish this saga I'll just say that I ended up getting a great deal from Rainbow, they delivered that evening and gave me a reference for a really nice man to install it. He showed up the next day, popped it in the window, and now I'm freezing.
The hard drive story is the saddest. Fairly new computer, begins doing some very strange things, after 16 total hours (I'm not exaggerating--I have it documented) on the telephone with various Dell technicians I was sent a new hard drive, so I'm back in business. I hadn't realized that India was 12 hours ahead of us.
Okay, back out, air conditioner out, computer out, but with a little patience and a good sense of humor everything worked out. Except my back. I'm still in pain, but I've got air and I'm back here where I belong.
A lot has been going on around town while I've been "grounded" but there are a few things to talk about. Whole Foods is opening a store close to the Upper East Side. 57th and 2nd Avenue is just about there, right? From everything I've been reading, WF is trying to shake its reputation for being overpriced and therefore, unavailable for many New Yorkers. I'll check it out. Uh oh, time for the outage...
Speaking of outages, my back has been out for over a month, which made swimming, walking, goofing around and other fun activities impossible. On the hottest day of our last heat wave my air conditioner began blowing warm air and I had to hustle to get resolve that issue. Long, long story short: Heat blowing out of a/c, jump on Internet to suss out deals, find something good at Best Buy, have to buy it on the telephone, encounter problems regarding someone coming to install air conditioner, made many calls to check, double check, cajole, argue and almost beg.
I remembered that I had a similar situation six years ago when the last air conditioner (a dinosaur that came with the apartment) died on another heat wave day (97 and climbing). I knew that there was a small shop on my block that sold air conditioners so I went dripping in sweat over there. Only because my head was about to burst from the heat, I ran to the bank to get cash (they wouldn't take a check or credit card) and with 5 minutes to spare bought the darn thing. I begged them to have it delivered and installed right then and for almost $400 I had cold air again. Rip off, sure.
So, this time I was desperate again and even though I already had one coming from BB, I called the shop, now on another block, and spoke to someone about wanting to "buy local" and told him what I needed. After way to much time on hold, the guy comes back and mumbling numbers tells me that he can sell me a unit and have it delivered and installed for $849!!! I'm still laughing. I couldn't contain myself and was screaming with laughter into the phone. I used the words are you blanking kidding me, what are you nuts? Even the most affluent person wouldn't give you that much for a 5000 BTU air conditioner. (please tell me that's true) That's the last time I'll ever call Cool Air on 76th Street. OH! Did I say the name?
Anyway, to finish this saga I'll just say that I ended up getting a great deal from Rainbow, they delivered that evening and gave me a reference for a really nice man to install it. He showed up the next day, popped it in the window, and now I'm freezing.
The hard drive story is the saddest. Fairly new computer, begins doing some very strange things, after 16 total hours (I'm not exaggerating--I have it documented) on the telephone with various Dell technicians I was sent a new hard drive, so I'm back in business. I hadn't realized that India was 12 hours ahead of us.
Okay, back out, air conditioner out, computer out, but with a little patience and a good sense of humor everything worked out. Except my back. I'm still in pain, but I've got air and I'm back here where I belong.
A lot has been going on around town while I've been "grounded" but there are a few things to talk about. Whole Foods is opening a store close to the Upper East Side. 57th and 2nd Avenue is just about there, right? From everything I've been reading, WF is trying to shake its reputation for being overpriced and therefore, unavailable for many New Yorkers. I'll check it out. Uh oh, time for the outage...
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Happy Birthday, CB8!
To be honest, I didn't know any of the information provided in this bulletin. I also don't know anyone who serves on the board or once served on the board or knew someone who served on the board or members, staff, former members or former staff or anyone. However, if you read on you'll see that this party is being held at the Crowe’s Nest, 1804 Second Avenue, (between 93rd and 94th Street), Monday, August 4, 2008, from 7:00
PM to 9:00 PM, so if you can attend, do.
To: Current & Former Board Members, Current & Former Public Members, Board Staff, Elected Officials, and Friends of Community Board 8
From: David G. Liston, Chair
Date: July 3, 2008
Re: Community Board 8 Celebration
* * *
As many of you may know, in 1951 Robert Wagner, then Manhattan Borough President, established twelve “Community Planning Councils.” The Councils, consisting of 15 to 20 members each, were responsible for advising the Borough President on planning and budgetary matters. In 1963, they became "Community Planning Boards" and were extended to the other boroughs. Later in the 1960s, former Mayor Lindsay set up "Little City Halls" on an experimental basis in just a few communities. In the mid-1970s, the Planning Boards and Little City Halls were combined into "Community Boards" and in Fiscal Year 1977 (July 1, 1976 - June 30, 1977) Community Boards were
for the first time officially included in the City budget, which allocated funds for each board for office space, a District Manager, staff, and supplies.
Please come to celebrate the history, accomplishments, and future of Community Board 8. The cost will be $32.00, which will include dinner, dessert, and coffee. Drinks will be available for purchase at the bar. In addition to all current Board Members, Public Members, Board Staff, elected Officials and their staff, and friends of CB 8, I would like to invite former members, former CB8 staff, and former elected officials and their staff. To assist in that effort, I ask that you forward this invitation to any former members, staff, or elected officials and their staff with whom you are in touch or for whom you have contact information.
I will ask a few people to speak for a minute or two at the event about what being on the Board means, or meant, for them and about experiences which capture the value of CB8. Please let me know if you would like to be, or can suggest, one of the speakers. I look forward to seeing you on Monday, August 4, 2008. If you plan to attend, please let the Board Office know by Friday, July 25, 2008.
PM to 9:00 PM, so if you can attend, do.
To: Current & Former Board Members, Current & Former Public Members, Board Staff, Elected Officials, and Friends of Community Board 8
From: David G. Liston, Chair
Date: July 3, 2008
Re: Community Board 8 Celebration
* * *
As many of you may know, in 1951 Robert Wagner, then Manhattan Borough President, established twelve “Community Planning Councils.” The Councils, consisting of 15 to 20 members each, were responsible for advising the Borough President on planning and budgetary matters. In 1963, they became "Community Planning Boards" and were extended to the other boroughs. Later in the 1960s, former Mayor Lindsay set up "Little City Halls" on an experimental basis in just a few communities. In the mid-1970s, the Planning Boards and Little City Halls were combined into "Community Boards" and in Fiscal Year 1977 (July 1, 1976 - June 30, 1977) Community Boards were
for the first time officially included in the City budget, which allocated funds for each board for office space, a District Manager, staff, and supplies.
Please come to celebrate the history, accomplishments, and future of Community Board 8. The cost will be $32.00, which will include dinner, dessert, and coffee. Drinks will be available for purchase at the bar. In addition to all current Board Members, Public Members, Board Staff, elected Officials and their staff, and friends of CB 8, I would like to invite former members, former CB8 staff, and former elected officials and their staff. To assist in that effort, I ask that you forward this invitation to any former members, staff, or elected officials and their staff with whom you are in touch or for whom you have contact information.
I will ask a few people to speak for a minute or two at the event about what being on the Board means, or meant, for them and about experiences which capture the value of CB8. Please let me know if you would like to be, or can suggest, one of the speakers. I look forward to seeing you on Monday, August 4, 2008. If you plan to attend, please let the Board Office know by Friday, July 25, 2008.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Taking The Plunge
Okay, so I'm a little paranoid about people, kids, peeing in public swimming pools. Well, any swimming pool for that matter. I usually leave Manhattan for a month or more during the summer, so I don't spend much time in our local swimming pools, but I really need to get some laps in so I'm venturing out tomorrow to the John Jay outdoor pool. I'm sure there will be a lot of little kids there, but I know that it's a very clean pool so I'm going to just get my mind off of any thoughts of urination. Growing up in Southern California, I was always in pools. I can still clearly see the sign up on every fence in every yard with a pool: We don't swim in your toilet, Please don't pee in our pool. Catchy.
I didn't even think about anyone peeing in the pool back then and I'm sure somebody must have. As of tomorrow, I don't care. I'm going swimming. Swimming is summer and this is summer. It's almost the 4th of July. If that's not summer, what is? I've made my usual promise of working up to 15 laps and if I get to 2 tomorrow, I'll be happy. I've still got not just my winter white skin, but my winter potato-sack body as well. Now, to find last year's bathing suit, which I'm sure I'll have to squeeze into. No matter, I'm taking the plunge.
I didn't even think about anyone peeing in the pool back then and I'm sure somebody must have. As of tomorrow, I don't care. I'm going swimming. Swimming is summer and this is summer. It's almost the 4th of July. If that's not summer, what is? I've made my usual promise of working up to 15 laps and if I get to 2 tomorrow, I'll be happy. I've still got not just my winter white skin, but my winter potato-sack body as well. Now, to find last year's bathing suit, which I'm sure I'll have to squeeze into. No matter, I'm taking the plunge.
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