Interest in a block meeting?

[David Sokolow]

Hi All,

I wanted to gauge interest in having a block meeting over the next few weeks, perhaps a date in early December?

At my prior block, we used to meet ~1 per month to plan events and discuss issues on the block such as parking, vacant buildings and other concerns folks may have.

I heard this group has a really great block party, but I'd be up for doing other events as well like a stoop sale if folks are interested.

Let me know, happy to help work to find the right date and location!

Best,

David

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David Sokolow

djso...@gmail.com

[Noah's parents Sharon and Ralph Yozzo]

Hi David 

Definitely. I'm in.  

And Ms Sarah etc. has had block / stoop sales.  See https://groups.google.com/g/van-buren-block-association-mailing-list/search?q=Stoop

I've also connected with the Waverly avenue block association and they have a Halloween party every year.  Everyone's invited and they get 1,000 people

See https://facebook.com/events/s/halloween-w-pam-flemings-dead-/543765401511885/

Also Lincoln civic block association is having a party coming up soon and I'm volunteering to help.  I'll forward the email to our group.  They're asking for volunteers for their December 7th party.  I'm mostly going to help and see if there's interest in forming alliances between block associations and civic organizations. 

They also posted a video all about grants for block associations and civic organizations here https://youtu.be/baMoEgFqoFY?si=iHj8JD9GiwiESo4Y

It is from a few years ago but it's probably still relevant. 

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[Annie Hsu]

I would love to meet regularly again! We used to meet about once a month.

Annie

(70 VB)

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[Sara Nichols]

Good morning, 

Yes, we used to meet regularly. We had an arrangement with Wazobia where we were able to utilize one of their community room to host our meetings. We found meetings were most productive when we had a set agenda. If you would like to send me any items you would like to add to the agenda, I would be happy to get a date in the books.

 It would be lovely to kick off regular meetings with a holiday mixer/ meet and greet. We would be thrilled to reignite regular meetings. 

Best,

Sara 

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[Ryan Heck]

Yes, I think this is a brilliant idea.  I know there's a handful of folks on our block who are very active in the association, but it would be great to have opportunities to meet more neighbors and talk about community concerns.

Best-

Ryan 32 VB

Ryan Heck

Art Director . ’Non-View’

Cardinal Rule Productions, LLC

M:

917 886-8067

www.heckwithdesign.com

www.linkedin.com/in/heckryan

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[Ralph Yozzo]

Here's some topics:

• Better representation for our community 
• Construction on our block 
• Building alliances between Civic organizations and block associations 

Regarding construction I'm attaching the current department of buildings approved plans for 61 Van Buren 

They plan to apparently add a whole new story to it. 

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[David Sokolow]

Amazing, exciting to see all of the interest!

@Sara, does the Wazobia have days that are better than others? Generally I have found Tuesday or Wednesday nights work, or Saturday or Sunday mornings (but sometimes people have weekend plans so that can be hard).

And thanks for the agenda ideas, @Ralph! On my mind is meeting everyone, hearing what people care about, and maybe planning a next block event.

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David Sokolow

djso...@gmail.com

[Ralph Yozzo]

Hi Ms Sara, by Wazobia do you mean The Community House?

When I search I find this 1204 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226

I don't think you mean that. 

Thanks

Ralph

[Sara Nichols]

I will talk with Rhonda about the space. There was a protocol we followed. We will follow up shortly. Please be patient as we are at work this week. 

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

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[David Sokolow]

Sounds good, thank you Sara and Rhonda!

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David Sokolow

djso...@gmail.com

[Said Craton]

At most we are interested in preserving peace and privacy on this block as it is something that most don’t afford one another even in the sanctity of their homes these days . Over the summer there is always an over abundance of loud music and disturbance going on and for those of us whom work from home and would like to enjoy a  quiet evening's peace at home it is darn near impossible . Perhaps we can make sure that we all share this one free element with one another in the interest of improving our overall well being . 

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 19, 2024, at 12:31 PM, David Sokolow <djso...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Will Tower]

You literally live in New York City. I don't think you're going to find a meaningful resolution to a noise issue in a city of 8.25M,

Looking forward to getting our meetings going again. We have a great block filled with some of the best neighbors anywhere!

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Will Tower
(212)920-5395
will...@gmail.com

@willtower

[kellie jones]

And whoever keeps calling the police on the Hattan Carthan Herban Farm please stop.  It is dangerous and they only operate half the year.  Please go and enjoy their many activities and buy their produce. They have been a positive force in the neighborhood for generations. Dr.Jones 54 VB

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[Kwesi Joseph]

Hey David,

The folks at 21 Van Buren are interested in attending block meetings.

Kwesi 

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[Monifa Bandele]

This is New York. This is Brooklyn, This is Bed-Stuy. An "abundance of loud music" in the summer is who we are. Did you visit the block before moving here?Echoing Dr. Jones, please stop calling the police on our community garden OR on our neighbors enjoying their music on a joyful summer evening. 

I want to thank Rhonda and Sara for holding our block association together for so many decades. I would love for them to continue to lead our association and meetings. It does become hard to organize us when neighbors don't talk to each other and call the police about activities that have existed for decades--- that make our community joyful, vibrant, unique, artistic, and beautiful. 

There are many places to live that are quiet in the summer. Bed-Stuy aint it. 

Monifa (66) 

 

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monifa bandele
http://www.momsrising.org/blog/author/monifa-bandele/
917.407.3018

[Monifa Bandele]

Also, we might be able to use the new center at Von King Park! 

monifa bandele
http://www.momsrising.org/blog/author/monifa-bandele/
917.407.3018

[Ralph Yozzo]

Yes.  I've contacted the Parks department in the past and this is a letter from one of the employees at least they were at that point in time. 

---------- Forwarded message ---------

From: Johnson, Moesha (Parks) <Moesha....@parks.nyc.gov>

Date: Wed, Apr 17, 2024, 10:07 AM

Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: Van Buren Block association question

To: Ralph Yozzo <ra...@brooklynmarathon.com>, Flood, Colleen (Parks) <Collee...@parks.nyc.gov>, Rhonda Halls <rhond...@gmail.com>, van-buren-block-asso...@googlegroups.com <van-buren-block-asso...@googlegroups.com>

Hello,

For all the things we offer please check our parks website https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters/B088

As far as meetings. we would need more information such as the amount of people involved, agendas, dates and etc. to see if it can work.

From there we can draft an agreement.

Moesha Johnson

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[Ramsey Music]

I remember the good ole days of the pre-pandemic monthly meetings: coffee, convos, and the SUGARY treats, with no judgement. 🤣🤣

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[Ralph Yozzo]

Hi Ramsey and all, 

I also remember one of the Hattie Carthan garden parties where I think you MC'ed.   I think I remember requesting a song and I want to thank you all these years later. 😂

I also want to thank Ivan. I think Ivan was the first person to say hello when we moved here more than a decade ago.  

Of course followed by all our wonderful neighbors. I've lived in a lot of places in Brooklyn and state and we should appreciate what we have on this block!

Ralph

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[Matt Moran]

My favorite memory of block meetings at Wazobia is around school supplies: Rhonda asking Frank how many kids live in their house, and the look on his face while he tried to figure it out. We miss you Frank!

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[Noah's parents Sharon and Ralph Yozzo]

😄

I apologize for asking again but is Wazobia the same as the community house?

On further search it appears it is. 

And for people that care about the history here's a link to the city planning documents that started the construction of the community house on our block. https://www.nyc.gov/assets/planning/download/pdf/about/cpc/060195.pdf

"The application for the special permit was filed by the Department of Housing

Preservation and Development (HPD) on October 20, 2005. The project site is located on

the south side of Van Buren Street between Tompkins and Marcus Garvey Avenues

(Block 1791, Lots 68-72)."

It appears that they're not even describing the location correctly.  The lot is on the north side of Van Buren Street.  

And why do they say between Tompkins and Marcus Garvey they're missing an entire street Throop Ave 😳

Does anyone remember the process? 

Attached is one of the documents from 2005. 

Thanks

Ralph

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[Sara Nichols]

Good morning Van Buren Family (My favorite way to greet you all!)

I am loving all of these memories! We have always been such an amazing block with a block association rooted in bringing residents together to develop a new pride in the block and realize a sense of community. We have celebrated one another's talents, supported neighbors through loss, recognized our elders and been valuable resources to one another. 

Ms Rhonda and I are busy securing a location and will host a meeting on or before 12/14 once we have more information on availability. Please loosely save the date and show us some grace as we lock it in. (snacks provided Guthrie- and yes, as always- judgement denied!) 

The pandemic may have robbed us of our monthly meetings, but this communication has remained a testament to our togetherness. I'd love to share some more of what we have accomplished over the years for some of our newer neighbors. 

Shout out to Matt for the consistent and tireless effort to combat the rats (Please contribute)! Beautification has always been a goal. We organized a committee that succeeded in a mural project. we have worked together on block clean ups, we have distributed and planted bulbs in the tree beds. The trees and tree beds have not always been present on the block- the block association is responsible for them as well. How beautiful to see newer residents like Will walking the block and not only clearing trash and debris from said beds but actually pruning trees and removing limbs! Every year Kevin can be seen climbing a ladder to wrap the light posts with garland and crown them with wreaths to add a warm and festive aesthetic during the holiday season. 

Van Buren loves the kids! We have hosted car washes, bake sales and lemonade stands. We've filled Halloween with stoop side activities and enlisted them to joyfully post flyers. We have had school supply drives and distributed countless backpacks jammed with goods! We even had a youth band soothe us with original compositions during the pandemic thanks again to Matt! And we have served as mentors and cheerleaders as we have watched kids grow up and head off to college.  

We have called on one another for recommendations and advice countless times. We have shared contractors and work to secure group discounts. We've shared meals and dropped off medications to sick or aging neighbors unable to leave the house. We have jumped one another's cars and pitched in to shovel snow!

Community is who and what we are! 

If you've made it this far through my email- thank you! I am sure I have left a great many things out. I am also sure you are over reading this, lol. 

So- long story LONG.... we hear you and we can't wait to kick off our regular meeting again! 

Stay tuned 

Sara 23

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[David Sokolow]

Thank you so much, Sara! Excited to be a part of this great block and meet many of you at the first meeting on the 14th :-)

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David Sokolow

djso...@gmail.com

[Ralph Yozzo]

Also I want to thank Mr JT on the block for the constant cleaning.

His efforts even encouraged me to pick up trash etc.

And thank you Will for the WEST part of the street and Mr. JT for the EAST.

But of course thank you everyone for keeping the block clean.

Ralph

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[Ramsey Music]

You're welcome, Ralph. I remember that! We had a concert. Matt played, too!

[Sara Nichols]

It was beautiful! And Chris Washington sang for us. 

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

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[Ralph Yozzo]

Hi Ms Sara,

Yes I do remember that.   And thank you Chris!!!

I do not believe Mr. Washington and family are not on the mailing list.

We should make a flyer or something to get more members of the block on the mailing list.

It is as easy as using the instructions here https://vanburen.brooklyncoop.org/subscribe

Go to https://groups.google.com/g/van-buren-block-association-mailing-list and click join.

You will see the following and you click "Join group"

Or send an email to van-buren-block-associati...@googlegroups.com

and then reply to the email that the system sends to you to confirm your subscription.

[Monifa Bandele]

Thank you for the beautiful recap and walk down memory lane, Sara. I look forward to the meeting. 

Yes, we have a beautiful neighborhood with wonderful neighbors. Let’s keep it going 🤗❤️❤️❤️

monifa bandele (66) 

917.407.3018