June 30th Minutes and Election Results

President - Toya Williford
Vice President - Kisha Sigler
Treasurer - Andrew Robinson
Secretary - Fran Krause

The meeting started off with 15 neighbors in attendance. Welcome packets were handed out to new members and the minutes from last month's meeting were read.

The Community Garden Committee reports that the garden has been getting very green! The problems involving the fence on the West side of the garden seem resolved, though a more permanent fence will be needed eventually. Green Thumb might be of help with the fence. We also have a tool that can be used to open the fire hydrant next to the garden, so that the plants can be watered.

The Block Party Committee says things are looking good for the upcoming block party. Detais with the cotton candy machine still need to be ironed out. The Key Food on Nostrand, the corner store on Bedford and Madison and several neighbors have donated food for the party. We'll be getting "No Parking" signs in advance in order to avoid problems with towing. The American Legion on Nostrand donated $125 for the party, and there was a suggestion to ask the beverage distrubutor on Nostrand and Wonder Bread bakery for donations as well.

The Public Safety Committee then gave a report on the latest precinct meeting. Officer Lyons, head of the 79th Precinct, says that crime has been up recently. There was a shooting at 99 Madison, and several robberies on the subway. A mugshot was passed around of the subway robbery suspect.

Andrew gave a report on the financial situation of the block. Eighty dollars were collected at the last meeting in dues. $214 remain from the flower sale to be used for the block party. $1298.88 is the current ballence in our bank account.

Kisha reported from the Youth Committee. She had a meeting on her stoop with 18 kids from the block, who enjoyed ice cream and conversation. We hope to see the same kids at the block party!

There was then a unanimous vote to use $300 towards food for the block party.

There followed elections for the officers. The current officers had reached the end of their six-month terms. Toya Williford was re-elected as president. Andrew Robinson was re-elected as Treasurer. Kisha Sigler is our new Vice President, and Fran Krause is the new Secretary. The position of Assistant Secretary is currently vacant.

The floor was then opened up to new business. Toya said that she has some small trees and rose bushes to distribute and use in the garden. Andrew said he would like to get an artist to draft a layout for paths in the garden. He also said he's like to have an area in the garden with a picnic table to be used by block residents, as it would be very useful for renters who might not have access to a backyard space.

The meeting was then adjourned.

BLOCK PARTY UPDATE

General Info
• The block party is scheduled for this Saturday, July 14, 2007. Madison Street between Bedford and Nostrand will be closed from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. NYPD will reopen the block at 8:00 pm. NYPD is enforcing the time limits for the permit.
• Please DO NOT SELL ANYTHING AT THE BLOCK PARTY as the block association did not apply for a vendor permit.
• Don’t forget to wear sun block during the day and insect repellent at night.
• Thank you all for volunteering your time and energy to make this party a huge success.
• If you would like to become a member of the Block Association or make a donation please see Ms. Toya at 182A Madison.

Music
• There is ONE sound permit for the block party. The sound system for the block party will be located at 151 Madison. Ms. Kisha is in charge of the music for the day.
• The music will start at 10:00 am and end at 7:30 pm. The permit to close the block expires at 8:00 pm sharp. Any music played after 8:00 pm will result in a fine or ticket. The police have said that if the music persists after one verbal warning they will confiscate any and all equipment.

Cars and Street Cleaning
• PLEASE REMOVE ALL PARKED CARS NO LATER THAN 8:00AM on Saturday, July 14, 2007. The street sweeper will clean the block between 8:00 and 10:00AM.
• The block will reopen to traffic promptly at 8:00PM. Please be advised that NYPD will patrol the block after 8:00PM to ensure that the street is open and safe.

Food
• The food table will be located in the center of the block (in front of mechanic’s garage). Please look for the balloons. Mr. Darryl will be in charge of the grill. He will start cooking around 10:00 am and we plan to close the grill around 7:00 pm.
• The Block Party planning committee and the Block Association have generously agreed to provide a financial contribution to help the planning committee purchase food for the block party.
• Residents are encouraged to grill in front of their house and share family favorites. Please be safe and courteous of your neighbors.

Clean up
• The Block Party planning committee will provide garbage bags all along the block – PLEASE DO NOT THROW ANY GARBAGE ON THE STREET. There will be a block clean up at 7:30 pm. We need to have everything cleaned up and out of the street by 8:00 pm sharp.

Free Concerts in Von King Park this Summer!

I found this list on another BedStuy blog, I thought you all might be interested...

Here is a list of free concerts and events in Bed-Stuy’s Von King Park and other parks near Bedford-Stuyvesant.

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT - HERBERT VON KING PARK

Located at Greene, Marcy, Lafayette and Tompkins Avenues

To get there: IND G train to Bedford-Nostrand; exit at Nostrand and walk one block east to Marcy

The Delfonics Thursday, July 05, 2007
From 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Herbert Von King Park (Music)

Junior Reid Thursday, July 12, 2007
From 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Herbert Von King Park (Music)

Evidence, A Dance Company
Nadia Dieudonne & Feet of Rhythm Saturday, July 14, 2007
From 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Herbert Von King Park (Dance)

Arrested Development Thursday, July 19, 2007
From 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Herbert Von King Park (Music)

Camille A. Brown, Washington Reflections Saturday, July 21, 2007
From 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Herbert Von King Park (Dance)

Absolute Theatre : Lenox Avenue / Central Avenue Tuesday, July 24, 2007
From 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Herbert Von King Park (Theatre)

Black Spectrum Theatre : Kingfish, Amos and Andy Wednesday, July 25, 2007
From 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Herbert Von King Park (Theatre)

J. Kyle Korner Entertainment & Hip-Hop Theatre Festival : The Actor’s Rap Thursday, July 26, 2007
From 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Herbert Von King Park (Theatre)

Classical Theatre of Harlem : Romeo & Juliet From Friday, July 27, 2007 to Saturday, July 28, 2007
From 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Herbert Von King Park (Theatre)

J. Kyle Korner Entertainment & Hip-Hop Theatre Festival : The Actor’s Rap Sunday, July 29, 2007
From 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Herbert Von King Park (Theatre)

New Noise Code for NYC

There's a new noise code for NYC, you can read it here.


On page 10, it says that noise is illegal when it's ten decibels above the ambient level from 7am-10pm, or seven decibels above the ambient level from 10pm-7am. Fines of $50 are issued for general noise, and the fines for "unreasonable noise get really high. First ticket for "unreasonable noise gets a minimum fine $350, maximum fine $1000. Fines go up to $700 minimum and $2000 maximum on the second offense and $1050 minimum $3000 maximum for a third offense. Sound is measured from the street or inside a neighboring house.


On page 19, it says that any animal heard barking for five minutes straight from 10pm-7am or ten minutes straight from 7am-10pm will be subject to a minimum fine of $50 and a maximum fine of $175. Second offense gets a minimum fine of $100 and a maximum fine of $350. Third offense gets a minimum fine of $150 and a maximum fine of $525.


There's also a lot of new rules about construction noise. Check it out!

Another Blog to Read

I found a blog www.bedstuyblog.com I think you might like to check out. I'm not in charge of the content in any way, just found it and thought it had some interesting photos.