Cool Vintage Shop on Broadway

Walking on Broadway you'll find the cutest vintage / curiosity shop.
Inside is full of wonderful treasures, perfect for holiday shopping:
vintage linen, fun vintage jewelry, old photos, wonderful hats and more!


Shelia (dressed in a deep rose velvet dress and a velvet hat)
runs Matilda's Vintage Curiosity Shoppe
at 41-14 Broadway in Astoria.
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 12 - 7 PM
Worth a visit!

Get Ready For Spring 2011

It's hard to believe but spring is just around the corner!

Norwood Neighborhood Association is planning ahead and hoping to have another successful Spring Clean up on Saturday, April 30th, 2011. So please mark your calendars (rain day May 1, 2011). Let's show we can do it again**, come on out and help make our neighborhood look beautiful.

In an effort to do more in spring 2011, NNA has applied for a Love Your Block award to provide funds for basic materials: Steel fencing for 39 tree pits - to keep doggies off the newly planted trees provided by the city this past spring - as sadly not every pet owner picks up; 5 flats of 50 ivy plants for tree pits that have enough dirt for planting - plants help absorb excess water run off from heavy rains as well as provide greenery; non- latex gloves for our volunteers and lastly "Pick Up After Your Dog" signs for our community to encourage awareness and cleaning up with local pet owners. NYC Parks Department will provide mulch, sanitation will provide cleaning supplies and trash removal, and there's even the possibility the the city can provide graffiti removal to our crews.

Have a well maintained block will help encourage those visiting our community to respect our streets and not leave behind so much careless trash. A cared for street also encourages those who are not picking up after their pets to be more conscientious. Creating a more beautiful neighborhood will encourage others to help us sustain a more cared for and livable community.


So, keep your fingers crossed and send some magic, body English and let's hope NNA will be awarded a Love Your Block Award, because "We Love Our Blocks!"

** See last Year's (2010) successful clean up!

Dear Neighbors,

Identity theft can be the cause of major problems and a nightmare to fix. Document shredding is a headache too. Who has the time to sit and shred piles of sensitive papers? There are document shredding services but they usually start at about $80.

Costa Constantinides and Anne Marie Anzalone of the Powhatan Democratic Club and ProShred Security have generously invited the community to a free paper shredding and recycling event this weekend. Their invite with date, times and place are below.
This is a great opportunity to finally get rid of those mountains of documents you're too afraid to throw in the regular trash.

____________________________________________________

Free Community Shredding This Weekend!

Saturday November 6
10 AM - 1PM
Powhatan Democratic Club
41-05 Newtown Road
Astoria, 11103

Join Democratic District Leaders Costa Constantinides and AnneMarie Anzalone along with the Powhatan Regular Democratic Club and Proshred Security for a FREE community shredding and recycling event to help combat identity theft and increase paper recycling.

Sponsored by Democratic District Leaders Costa Constantinides and AnneMarie Anzalone and Powhatan Democratic Club

The federal trade commission estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. Almost 70 percent of those cases are from paper documents getting into the wrong hands.

Keeping important documents that contain personal information such as social security numbers, bank statements, and other financial forms may put you at risk of identity theft. Shredding your personal papers is an easy way to make sure you are not victimized and recycle this paper.

This provides you with a safe, environmental sound way to dispose of these papers.

For more information call 917-716-4540 or powhatan01@gmail.com

___________________________________________________________


Go Green!

Demapping 36th Street @ 35th Avenue

Astoria residents are very unhappy with the city's plan to close (demap) 36th Street between 34th Avenue and 35th Avenue for the benefit of private enterprise: Kaufman Astoria Studios. Loss of street parking and removing a main thoroughfare will cause additional problems for residents as well as for students attending nearby schools; congestion and more congestion. Then there's inconvenience and the certain quality of life impact on residents resulting from an even bigger, more active studio.

Bringing big business to Astoria is positive and optimistically will provide services benefiting the residents and community at large. As long the studio is a good neighbor and realizes people live near the studio and that late night spots for crews working around the clock and noise from production units would be unwelcome.

If NYC is leasing the street and sidewalks - essentially public easements - for an undisclosed amount until 2049, for the exclusive use and benefit of private enterprise then some of the revenue the city makes should benefit the residents of Astoria by giving back in ways that will improve quality of life. If public areas are taken away a beautiful public space could be provided.
If 40 street parking spots are removed perhaps above ground parking facility will help in a heavily congested area. How about studio tours for families? Currently Kaufman Astoria is not open to the public.

If the demapping is approved, residents hope the studio will be a considerate neighbor.

The Demapping & Closing of 36th Street

Tonight CB1 held a public hearing re the demapping of 36th Street between 34th Avenue and 35th Avenue as Kaufman Astoria Studios hopes to expand. This is a very controversial move and has upset residents who are worried about how closing a major street (36th street) will affect parking, traffic and congestion in Astoria.

The public was invited to share their thoughts at CB1 this evening on how the closing of 36th Street will impact residents and the community at large. CB1 will vote and make their recommendation.

Water Main Break 36th Street

For months Norwood residents have been very concerned with the sound of gushing water heard underground on 36th Street near 31st Avenue. It started about 5 months ago and sounded like a giant open tap, gushing 100's of gallons of water per second.

Worried about a broken main and taxpayer money "going down the drain" numerous calls were made to 311 to get the situation evaluated and repaired. The upshot was, no complaint could be taken (said 311 supervisors!) as water was not visible on the street. Even though residents insisted that this was a new sound, and probably due to damage from construction sites near by, 311 would not put in an order for repair.

For those concerned about the endless sound of rushing water, the DEP finally arrived today. Crews have been working all day, into the night to fix what they called a water main break. Water will be shut off for a few hours Tuesday October 19th in order to make the repair. Hopefully the disturbing sound of gushing water will now be water under the bridge.

Astoria Free Tree Gave Away October 2, 2010

Happy Trees Make a Healthier And More Beautiful World

NYC Anti Crime Tree Giveaway is in Astoria this weekend. For time and place click here.

Here are a few tips to help your new tree survive in the city.

Welcome Home: Give your new tree a good home. A hole that is two to three times wider but no deeper than the tree's root ball is a great start. Be sure to plant your new tree right away so the roots won’t dry out.

Good Dirt Pays: Soil that is hard and compact means roots can’t breath. Before planting your new tree, loosen the soil with a shovel or gardening tool. Add mulch, peat moss or other organic material to help soil breath, keep in moisture and slow soil compaction.

Quench: Water is critical for young trees, especially newly transplanted trees. Take extra care watering especially during dry spells.

Unwelcome Deposits: Leave behinds by our furry friends add unhealthy elements that hurt not only our young trees, but add bacteria to groundwater as well. Try and keep your tree's home (the tree pit) litter free.

Tree Vitamins: Fertilizing during a young tree’s first year is critical. Fertilizers help young trees become strong and establish themselves. Time released fertilizing sticks (and other fertilizing choices) are available in nurseries and suppliers such as Home Depot.

A Trim: Pruning helps trees stay healthy and beautiful. www.tcia.org has the Tree Care Industry’s standards for pruning and tree care available online.

Location is Critical: Visualize the amount of space your new tree will needs as it grows tall. Think of power lines, driveways and structures that might make a particular location inappropriate. Ask what sunlight requirements your tree selection will need.

Easy on Herbicides: Applied at the right time and in the right amount – pesticides used properly can help tree fight pests. Improperly used, herbicides can damage your tree, cause unhealthy runoff into groundwater, and affect pet and human health. Be sure to carefully review the label warnings and follow the instructions for application carefully.

Accidents Can Happen: Debris, cars, storms and even lawnmowers can cause bark damage and wound a trees. One can avoid tree wounding by planting them in sheltered locations or by providing a barrier. Check for bark damage and treat it promptly.

Trees clean our city air, cool our summers on a hot day, provide lovely shade, help control water runoff in a big storm, homes for birds as well as ever changing beauty throughout the seasons. Treat your tree with care and it it will give back 10 fold.

CB1 Unanimous against R6 Development in Norwood Gardens

Norwood Neighborhood Association thanks Council Member Vallone and LICA for supporting the residents of Norwood Gardens at the Community Board meeting this evening. CB1 stood up for the residents of this community and unanimously voted against continuation of an R6 development under Norwood Gardens's new R5B and R4B zoning.

A few quotes from residents:


"This is an opportunity to prove that the people of Astoria matter"
resident 37th Street

"An R6 construction in Norwood Gardens goes against the will of this community"
resident of 36th Street

"Stand up for what is legal and right in Norwood Gardens"
resident of 36th Street

And the signatures of 90 Norwood Gardens' residents were on the NNA letter opposing the application to complete the foundation and continue to develop and R6 project.

"The developer has known for a long time that the new zoning designation was coming and had plenty of time to get his foundation work done before May 25th"
resident of 37th Street

Community Board Hearing re 30-86 36th Street Construction

30-86 36th Street property (near 31st Avenue) will be applying for a variance to construct a bigger building than the new R5B zoning regulations allow. As this will affect your block and neighborhood, Community Board 1 invites comments from residents on this development project.

If you are not able to attend CB1 meeting next Tuesday September 21st @ 7 PM, please send comments to norwood.astoria@gmail.com for submission to CB1 or send them directly:

Community Board #1
36-01 35th Avenue
Astoria, NY 11106

Don't Frack with NYC Drinking Water!

TOWN HALL MEETING TONIGHT
IMPORTANT: August 24^th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, the New York City Council will hold a town hall meeting to discuss natural gas drilling in New York State

NYT on Risks

NYT Article on fracturing

National Public Radio

NYT Green Blog: The E.P.A.’s last hearing on fracking, held in Canonsburg, Pa., in July, drew over 1,200 people

RiverKeeper Blog on fracturing dangers in NY

WSJ Article on fracturing

A Colossal Frackin Mess (article by Christopher Bateman June 2010)

TAKE ACTION: Tell Cuomo not to Frack with our water

Wiki on fracturing

Exciting News! 2 new farm stands in Astoria plus a CSA

Click on image above for link to Brooklyn Grange site

Exciting news for all who love fresh, locally grown vegetables: Brooklyn Grange, an acre rooftop farm in Astoria, has opened two Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) locations as well as two farm stands. The Astoria farm stands operate Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 - 7 PM in the lobby of the Standard Motor Building at 37-18 Northern Blvd near 37th Street, Queens. You can even visit the roof farm! Another farm stand is located at Vesta on Saturday from 11 AM - 3 PM at 2102 30th Avenue, Astoria, NY. Vegetables at these stands are picked and sold on the very same day. Can't get fresher than that!

Brooklyn Grange also welcomes volunteers. For information e-mail them at
brooklyngrangefarm@gmail.com

Spread the word!

Campaign 2010 Doggie Patrol

Getting dog poop on your shoe, or having your dog sniff it up close is nasty but many people are unaware that all dogs harbor coliform bacteria in their gut; e.g. E. Coli, salmonella and guardia (please read USA Today) all which pose a threat not only to pets but to us humans as well (Important! read this too). Water runoff containing coliform bacteria from dog feces can pump unhealthy bacteria into our water system when pet owners don't pick up.

Norwood Gardens will be initiating a campaign to raise awareness of risks posed to pets, humans and plant life by not picking up. Many pet owners are not being responsible and we need everyone's cooperation and support to help our community and our pets stay healthy.

Let's all help. Call 311 if your street has excessive leave behinds. Sanitation responds with special patrols to problem areas. If you see someone embarrass their dog by not cleaning up, perhaps a polite word would help. After all it is the law, necessary for pet health and helps our community look and smell pretty.

Please feel free to download "Pick Up After Your Dog" fliers to laminate and post on your street.

Facts every pet owner should know about Canine Litter

• Pollutes our water through storm water runoff
• Spreads disease both to humans and other pets
• Carries heartworm, parvo, tapeworm, hookworm and can make dogs sick
  
• Detracts from our neighborhood
• The law says pick it up. Fine for not picking up is $250

Speed Bumps! Coming soon.

Norwood Neighborhood Association received terrific news from the Department of Transportation today! Our community will receive speed bumps! This is the first step towards helping slow down some of the traffic that has caused so many safety concerns for Norwood residents. There have been a number of terrible accidents in our community and speeding is a concern we take seriously. NNA will be sure to keep on top of this issue and send an update when to expect the installation. Thank you DOT!

Letter to NNA from the DOT

What's going on at DOB??

Review of 2 permits above show same job number but 2 different job descriptions. Permit #420092278-01-FO-EA (from DOB website) shows 30-86 36th Street as 4 story construction. The same permit (posted to site's fence @ 30-86 36th Street) shows a 6 story construction.

He's Back! The tree waterer!

A NYC contracted tree waterer helps our young trees

Astoria and Norwood Gardens has received so many beautiful newly planted trees. Our tax dollars helped pay for these young saplings. With a little care and attention they will flourish and provide cleaner air, cooling shade during the hot summers and help with rain water run off. Please help them survive. Pick up trash and doggie droppings from your tree pit. Water your tree and fertilize in the fall. It will repay you with beauty throughout the seasons.

Variance Issued On a Saturday??

Residents received no help from DOB on after hour construction week nights and weekends without permits for 2 weeks in May.

However the contractor gets a variance to work until 9 PM on weekdays and 6 PM on the weekends. The variance was issued on Saturday 5/22 when the DOB is closed. How did this happen? Then, Monday night work continued illegally until after 9:30 PM disturbing neighbors.

Save QUEENS Library!

Queens Libraries are an essential part of Astorian's lives: students, young children, business owners, families, seniors, newcomers to America, we all rely on our local branch library to be open for essential access to computers, to conduct research and to enrich lives in crucial and meaningful ways. Budget cuts mean closings and shorter hours of operation. Cutting funds to this vital institution would hit Queens residents hard.

Please sign the Queens Library Petition (link here). If you are able to make a financial contribution to the Queens Library System, no matter how small, please consider how meaningful the library has been in your life and the lives of others.

We must keep them open! Please take a moment and sign to restore funds.

Candidates Forum Monday May 24th!

Sponsored by Long Island City - Astoria Alliance. Come meet the candidates this upcoming Monday. Place: Quinn Building @ 6:30 PM.

Next Tuesday, May 25th @ 2:30 PM the full City Council hearing on the Astoria Rezoning Project will take place at City Hall in the City Council chambers.

While the hearing is not open for public comments we are allowed to observe the hearing from the gallery. As this is an historic occasion and the end of a long, arduous process, 4 or 5 Norwood Neighborhood Association members will be attending.

City Council will vote on the rezoning soon after the hearing and the zoning will be certified the next day. The good news is Astoria should have its new zoning in place by the end of this month if not sooner!

All are welcome, so please come join us!

TURN OUT TO STOP FIREHOUSE CLOSINGS

Press Conference/ Rally Friday, May, 21st, 10 AM Outside of Engine Company 262: 30-89 21st Street Join Council Member Peter F. Vallone Jr., Fire Unions, elected officials and Astoria residents to speak out against firehouse closings outside of FDNY Engine Company 262: 30-89 21st Street

Roof Farm Coming to Astoria!

Exciting News Flash for Astoria residents. Brooklyn Grange is planting a huge one acre rooftop farm right here in Astoria / Long Island City! The farm is on the roof of the Standard Motor Building on Northern Blvd at 38th Street. Fresh picked produce will be available to the public. So stay tuned!

Final Public Hearing Astoria Zoning: 5/17

Important Public Hearing May 17th @ 9:30 AM!

Monday May 17th The New York City Council Subcommittee on Planning will have a public hearing (FINAL PUBLIC HEARING) offering Queens residents a last chance to voice their opinion on the Queens Zoning Proposal. City Council is tentatively scheduled to vote on the zoning changes May 28th.

The City Council hearing room is on the 16th floor of 250 Broadway (across from City Hall).
There is easy train access via the R, W, 4, 5, 6, 2 and 3 train lines.

Norwood Neighborhood Association has been actively working with City Planners and Council Member Vallone on the rezoning impact in their community. We invite interested residents to join us in support of this zoning initiative. NNA will have 2 - 3 representatives attending.

Board of Standards & Appeals Public Hearing re R6 Development

The Board of Standards and Appeals held a Public Hearing on 30-86 36th Street's application for an extension of time to complete foundation and to continue the development of an R6 project on 36th Street in Norwood Gardens.

If the foundation was found not to have been complete and excavated on the day of the zoning change (May 26, 2010) the application will not be granted.

A second hearing re the completeness of the foundation will be held October 26, 2010

Asbestos Removal 36th Street

After brushes with illegal night time asbestos removal at 30-88 36th Street, residents here are relieved to see suited and protected workers removing materials from the roof area of 30-86 36th Street. The asbestos signs that were posted for a day first week of May (see photo below) are no longer up, but at least the hazardous materials are being removed properly and not putting the health of workers, residents and the environment at risk.

Spring Clean Up 2010

Norwood Neighborhood Association
First Annual Spring Clean Up

April 24, 2010

What a great turnout. Thank you all for making NNA's first ever spring clean up such an amazing success!

We want to express appreciation and thanks to each and every person for their commitment and hard work. Over 25 people attended (only partial group in photo above) and helped to make today a triumph. 35th, 36th and 37th Streets look especially beautiful after the sweep through, litter and graffiti removal. Click on last image for link to photo album of Norwood's Gardens.

A huge thank you goes out to the NNA member who donated brooms, bags, gloves, containers and graffiti removing spray. We couldn't have accomplished today's clean up so smoothly and effectively without such generosity and the essential supplies.

Once again, thank you all! This first Spring Clean Up exhibited high spirit and a great neighborhood feeling! It was wonderful to see everyone and a hearty welcome to the many new faces.

Bravo!

Member of the sweeping teams

One of the sweeping and litter teams


Weeding and trimming tree sprouts


Graffiti and litter patrol


Beautiful, clean streets

Click on photo to see
album of Norwood's Gardens

Norwood Gardens In Spring

There are so many gardens to enjoy. Such wonderful variation and styles and at times you might not even know you're in NYC!

Here are a few from 36th Street. 35th and 37th Street will be posted soon.

April Spring Clean Up April 24th @ 12 Noon RSVP

Dear Neighbors -

Please join us for an April three-block spring clean up!
Come meet neighbors for some fun in the sun while helping to beautify.
Kids will received "Community Service" letters from NNA for their contribution.

Time: 12 Noon (if you are arriving later groups will be divided between 35th, 36th and 37th streets)
Place: 36th Street near 31st Avenue
Contact us: norwood.astoria@gmail.com

Response has been terrific with between 15 - 20 neighbors saying they'll be there.


Thank you!

Alert! Norwood Gardens Auto Break-Ins

A crime wave of auto break-ins has hit Norwood Gardens, especially on 35th, 36th and 37th Streets, Last night (March 26th) 4 break-ins occurred, two on 36th Street.

Most of the crimes occur after midnight and target cars with a GPS (or evidence of one) and cars with visible items inside.

If your car has been broken into, file a 911 report. NNA has requested surveillance cameras so who ever is targeting this neighborhood will be caught, therefore the 911 crime reports are very important.

Be aware and be careful. Do not leave anything in your auto. Please be sure to tell visitors from out-of-town not to leave anything in their car.

Below is a flier that was distributed and left on all parked cars and at each home on 36th street by a resident last week. E-mail address on flier for any tips is: 36thStreetCrimeStoppers@gmail.com

Spring Trees Arrived!!

Norwood Gardens is so fortunate to receive many new spring trees! The trucks arrived before 7 AM this morning with equipment to enlarge old tree pits so mature trees will have better living quarters and be able to stay healthy.

Old pits, filled with rubble, concrete and dead tree stumps will be cleaned up, debris removed. Fresh soil will be added so young trees have a healthy start.

Trees are wonderful additions to our neighborhood. They help drain storm water, filter our air of pollution, cool the environment and add so much beauty.

Let's take care of them! Please help us help them thrive.

Take a moment to keep their home free of litter. Unfortunately some people do not clean up after their dog. Dog dropping are the most harmful as they sit and the chemicals are absorbed by the tree's root system and do not add to a tree's well being. Take a second when you pass by to pick up litter. Add water to quench its thirst so it will grow up healthy and strong.

Treat your new tree well and you will enjoy its beauty and benefits for many years to come.