2010... This and That... Outreach... and You!

Happy New Year! I hope you had an enjoyable holiday season. I know I had a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season.

As we move into 2010 I want to remind you that we will not have a meeting in January. We will be putting out a newsletter and our first meeting for 2010 will be on Thursday, February 18, 2010. Mark your calendars and plan on attending and bringing a neighbor. Can’t you give two hours a month to your community? Think about it.

So what’s been happening? Councilman Oddo relocated to South Avenue, Uncle Vinnies Comedy Club continues bringing laughter to our neighborhood, the new cafes on New Dorp Plaza – Andrew’s and Domenick’s – are offering fine foods, Ocean3 has been replaced by Francesca’s Steak House, winter has delivered us some very cold weather, and there are a host of programs being offered for our entertainment and to expand our knowledge.

Over the next few days we will be talking about those and other topics. What should you do if you see a deer in our neighborhood? Has Gene’s Deli really closed? Have the changes on Hylan Blvd made that road safer to cross? What will become of Cedar Grove?

And did you notice the interview with Theresa Myrhol on the NYPL’s web page? Remember Theresa? She managed our branch library on New Dorp Lane for years and is now the Seward Park Library Network Manager. Theresa makes an interesting observation when she states: “One has to think beyond the traditional four walls of the library. Embracing the opportunities that social networking brings is essential. It is a vehicle that fosters new relationships with users while strengthening existing partnerships. Blogs, Twitter, Facebook and video will continue to shape and expand ways to share the wealth of information The New York Public Library has to offer.” We too need to look beyond the “traditional walls” that define our association. Meetings and newsletters remain a vibrant part of our outreach. However as this blog recognizes, there are new ways that we must reach out if we are to remain relevant in our community.

An important part of this dynamic is your feedback and participation. We need your comments, your concerns, your suggestions, your complaints. It is your neighborhood. What is on your mind?

Let us know at 718-979-6011, newdorpcentralcivic@yahoo.com or comment here on the blog.

See you around the neighborhood.

> Joe Markowski

Discovering New Dorp in the New Year

Greetings. The holidays are past and we are now into the new year. I hope the holidays were pleasant and gratifying for you.

I had the opportunity to stroll down New Dorp Lane this morning and I realized that it has been a long time since I did just that. Wow. What changes. So many places catering to hair and nails! And quite a few new places to get something to eat. Now that could be exciting. Then there is the new temporary location for a bank while its new office gets constructed on the corner of NDL and Edison. And to my great surprise - tattoos! Yep, you can get a tattoo on the Lane! Only, I'm not sure what that means for our community. Me? I'm unlikely to get a tattoo soon. Such is life.

I also was reminded of the fact that we all need to keep current with the technology that is being introduced into our lives. I watched a couple at an ATM on the Lane struggling to figure out how to use it. It was actually painful to watch. And they were no older than I. So don't be a Luddite. Change is coming. Try and keep in touch with it.

I also stopped in at our New Dorp Branch Library. Are you aware that it is now open 7 days a week! Wow. This is a wonderful change and make sure you take advantage of it.

I'll be reaching out for updates on many of the issues facing our community. And I encourage you to bring things to our attention. We all have a vested interest in keeping New Dorp a thriving, desirable community.

Enough for now. Stay safe and enjoy each day.

> Joe