Nini's, Neuhaus, Keyspan, Parks and Franks

So whats been happening? We had our 45th Dining through New Dorp experience last week as we dined at Nini's on New Dorp Lane. We were treated wonderfully and the food and company was terrific! You should plan on joining us the next time we dine. Hey... you gotta eat!

Neuhaus Realty has a large cell tower sticking up on their property at the intersection of Rockland Avenue and Richmond Road. Actually its one of the new towers that are being placed throughout the city and are dedicated to carrying traffic for the city's first responders. We have been assured that no commercial traffic will be using that facility... and it can be erected on commercial property as of right.

Meanwhile Keyspan - soon to be known as National Grid - has been digging up many of the streets throughout our community... digging long trenches along many of the streets south of New Dorp Lane. We have reached out to Councilman Oddo's office looking for his help in making sure that they put our streets back together when they are finished. As you are aware, Councilman Oddo is one of the City Councilmen proposing legislation that will require that our streets be put back together following any excavation.

And it seems that our Borough President is proposing to construct a park in the New Dorp Beach area. That is wonderful news for our community... and it's completion should not be that far away.

Lastly, the old Franks property has seen some excavation on that property recently and it is all part of a demolition permit that was granted for that property. As to what will happen there... no news yet.

So thats a quick synopsis of the goings on in the neighborhood.

What news do you have for us? Come on... share it and let us hear what you have to say !!!!

> Joe

Our Meeting is Thursday Night

Our meeting is Thursday night. Plan now on attending.

Our speaker will talk about the Greenbelt Recreation Center.

We will talk about the possibilities for the PS41 playground.

And what about what Keyspan is doing to our streets?

Come share your views and insights.

> Joe Markowski

Upcoming April Meeting News

Greetings. Spring is finally in the air… or at least it is supposed to be in the air. Just as Winter was not very wintry… Spring has not been very Springy… so far. But its early. Keep the faith. We know what April showers bring… and then what Mayflowers bring….

Last month we were fortunate to have a number of speakers update us on a number of matters. Police Officers Maria Gilsenan (check out chit chat) and Kevin Medifendt gave us a number of safety tips to remember as the warmer weather approaches. Doctor Dennis Blumfield representing the S.I.Heart Society spoke to us about the risk factors of heart attack – focusing on the things we cannot control and the things we can control. And Ron O’Loughlin informed us about some upcoming fund-raisers by Boy Scout Troop 24. And Yolanda Gleason told us about all the wonderful programs at the New Dorp Branch Library.

This month we will hear about the changes and new offerings at the Greenbelt Recreation Center on Brielle Avenue. Come hear about what is available to you at this location.

We will resume our Dining Through New Dorp program with our 45th visit to a wonderful neighborhood restaurant – Nini’s. Look inside for details and plan now on joining us for good food, conversation and good company. We will be dining out Wednesday, April 23. We have purchased over 1278 dinners from our neighborhood restaurants and spent over $31,300 since 1994. It is a program of which you can all be proud.

Our meeting this month is Thursday, April 17, 2008 at the Kells-Grennie American Legion Post at 2750 Amboy Road. We will begin promptly at 8 p.m. Come. Join us. And… bring a neighbor!

What's New???

Hey... New Dorp... how are things going in your neck of the woods? What's making you happy? What's making you troubled? What would you like to see done in our neighborhood?

Share your thoughts and comments.

> Joe

Sanitation and Presidents' Day

The Department of Sanitation has announced that on Monday - Presidents' Day Feb 18 - there will be NO garbage or recycling pickup or street cleaning.

Residents who normally receive a pickup on Monday should put out their garbage after 4pm on Monday.

They should NOT put out their recycling until next week when it will be picked up on the 25th.

Special Guest Speaker in February

This month we will have a very special guest speaker – Thomas W. Matteo. Mr. Matteo, a Tottenville resident, was named the fourth borough historian by Borough President Jim Molinaro. ( Mr. Matteo replaces Richard Dickinson who died last year. )

Dr. Matteo has written several books on Staten Island history and is working on several others. He is an Associate Professor of Business at St. Peter’s College in Jersey City. In 2005, he retired from his position as Executive Director at Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center and Home after spending seven years successfully turning around the troubled institution. Among other changes, he expanded the facility’s Alzheimer’s unit, extended the adult day health-care program’s hours, and increased training opportunities for staff members.

Prior to heading Sea View, Dr. Matteo held several executive positions in City government, including President/CEO of OTB, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Consumer Affairs, and First Deputy Executive Director of the Emergency Medical Service.

Meeting Thursday Night

We meet Thursday night, January 17 at the Kells-Grennie American Legion Post at 8pm.

Come join us as we kick off the new year,

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

Upcoming Meetings - NDCCA and 122Pct

Yep... there are just a few meetings left before we get to Christmas.

On Wednesday night December 19th the 122 Precinct Community Council will meet at the 122 Station house. Bring your issues and concerns to the NYPD and hear about the actions they have taken the following month.

On Thursday night December 20, we meet. At 8pm at the Kells-Grennie American Legion Post we will hear from our guest speaker Gladys Schweiger - the Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Foundation of Staten Island.

Following that we will celebrate with a grab bag (bring a gift valued at $10 and take a gift) and some good cheer and spirits.

Stay safe and enjoy the holidays!!!

A Walk Around Staten Island

Ok... the captioned show was shown on Channel 13 tonight, ending just moments ago. What did you think of it? I'd like to know. Did it give a good picture of our borough? Let me have your thoughts. I have mine... and I will share them with you soon.

> Joe Markowski

A Visit to Ocean 3

OK... so we have been wondering what this new place - Ocean 3 - actually is. Sure, the awnings say lounge, restaurant and bar. But what actually was happening there.

So we visited tonight. We met the 3 new owners - George (the cook), Amir and Paul. They have renovated the place substantially. The main dining room is now the lounge which usually doesn't begin until 9:30 or 10 pm. ( We left before that time so I can't tell you what the lounge experience is like.) There is a large open space in the middle and low couches all along the perimeter. They expect to be open until 2-ish during the week and later on the weekends.

The dining room is in the upper section of the upper floor restaurant. The place has been painted and has all new furniture. The food offered is half Italian and half Mediterranean.

The downstairs - also redecorated - will primarily serve their pizza selections and other Italian foods. By the way, the chef from Portofino is still cooking for Ocean 3 and I would imagine he is focusing on the Italian food.

The three owners were very anxious to show us around and explain what they are trying to do there. They are aware that they exist in a residential neighborhood. So we will have to see how this plays out.

The food tasted very good, had nice presentation and was spicey. The service was good... so lets see what develops. Give them a try and let us know what you think.

> Joe

Lights on the Lane !!!

We often had to wait and wait for the Lane to get adorned with Christmas Lights during the holiday season. Why just last year they arrived only a few days before Christmas. Wonderfully they have arrived weeks early this year and they look magnificent as you drive up or down the Lane.

Make sure you journey up or down the Lane some night over the next few weeks and enjoy the display of holiday lights.

Enjoy them.