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Reclaiming the Volunteer Spirit

Reclaiming the Volunteer Spirit published on 1 Comment on Reclaiming the Volunteer Spirit

Congregation Beth Elohim Volunteer Opps:  With the advent of some great websites like Recovers.org and VolunteerSignup.com  organizations and individuals are creating a vast network to coordinate needs and volunteers ( in this particular disaster as well as others).

Congregation Beth Elohim in Park Slope

(http://congregationbethelohim.org/content/about-us)

is doing some excellent work on the ground; going to Rockaway, organizing donations for the Armory in Park Slope and more.

(http://congregationbethelohim.org/content/hurrican-sandy-update)

They have an online volunteer sign up that reaches out already through next weekend:

Food Prep, Field work in Rockaway, Supply Sorting…

Sign up here: http://www.volunteersignup.org/FE3BF

 

http://www.volunteersignup.org/FE3BF

 

Weekend Sandy Volunteer Opportunities

Weekend Sandy Volunteer Opportunities published on

My friend Deb will be helping compile lists of Sandy relief efforts on this blog in the upcoming days and weeks.

 

For now, here’s a quick cut -n- paste from Public Advocate Bill de Blasio.

Brooklyn

Friday, November 2, 12pm-4pm:

    Help us go door to door and distribute information to small business owners about filing for federal disaster aid in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. Space is limited, please RSVP to

esharp@pubadvocate.nyc.gov

  • Friday, November 2, 12 pm-4 pm: Help us go door to door to distribute information to homeowners about filing for federal disaster aid in Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn. Space is limited, please RSVP to esharp@pubadvocate.nyc.gov

Queens

  • Friday, November 2 through Sunday, November 4, 10am-8pm: Drop off canned foods, clothes, and cleanup supplies at 8000 Cooper Avenue (the former Borders Bookstore site). For questions about the donation drive, please call Council Member Elizabeth Crowley’s office at 718-366-3900.
  • Friday, November 2 through Sunday, November 4, 10am-8pm: Drop off canned foods, and men’s, women’s and children’s coats, and blankets at 83-91 Woodhaven Boulevard, Woodhaven, NY 11421. For questions about the donation drive, please call Assemblyman Mike Miller’s office at 718-805-0950.
  • Friday, November 2 through Saturday, November 3, 10am-1pmClick here to volunteer in Brookville Park or Baisley Pond Park with clean-up efforts.
  • Friday, November 2, 12pm-4pm: Help us go door to door and distribute information to small business owners about filing for federal disaster aid in Jamaica, Queens. Meet at the office of Councilman Ruben Wills,95-26 Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica. Space is limited, please RSVP to wgardiner@pubadvocate.nyc.gov

Manhattan

  • Friday, November 2 through Sunday, November 4, 10am-1pmClick here to sign up to volunteer with clean-up efforts in Happy Warrior Playground, Annunciation Park, Carl Schurz Park, Anne Loftus Playground (at Fort Tryon Park), Randall’s Island (Friday and Saturday only) or Hudson River Park (Friday only).
  • Friday, November 2, shifts starting at 10am, 12pm and 2pm: Operation Water Bottle, initiated by Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, is helping deliver water to Chinatown using Dance New Amsterdam (280 Broadway, entrance at 53 Chambers Street as a staging area to fill up empty water bottles. While the Department of Environmental Protection has opened the fire hydrants for water use there are many who don’t have access to refillable bottles or don’t have easy access to the hydrants. De Blasio’s team has thousands of empty water bottles they are filling up at DNA and delivering to residents. Space is limited, please RSVP to jmerritt@pubadvocate.nyc.gov

Bronx

  • Friday, November 2, 9 am-3 pm: New York Blood Center Emergency Blood Drive at the Bronx County Building, 851 Grand Concourse-Veterans Memorial Hall, 1st Floor Rotunda
  • Friday, November 2 – Sunday, November 4, 10 am-1 pmClick here to volunteer with clean-up efforts in Van Cortlandt Park or Orchard Beach.

Packing for the Beach House!

Packing for the Beach House! published on 4 Comments on Packing for the Beach House!

It’s been some some since I spoke about the new project. That’s because it’s taken forever to get a closing date and there were times I thought it wasn’t going to happen. Well, I’m finally getting the keys on Monday afternoon!

Most ladies get excited when they pack their bikinis for their beach houses, but I was psyched to pull out my trusty work boots and painting clothes.

Wanna see my packing list for the first week of demo? Sure you do!

1. Sledgehammer
2. Sawzall
3. Crowbars
4. Tool Bucket (Hammers, Chisels, Bear Claw)
5. Screw Guns
6. Extension Cords
7. Work Light
8. Ladders
9. Shovels
10. Shop Vac
11. Safety Mask
12. Gloves
13. Goggles
14. Contractor Bags
15. Floor Protection

Meet the New Project

Meet the New Project published on 6 Comments on Meet the New Project

I didn’t want to jinx it by mentioning it, but now that my offer has been accepted, inspection is done and I’m about to go into contract, I think it’s safe to tell you about the new house!

After looking in The Rockaways in bad weather then deciding to search upstate for a few months, I got discouraged with “the country”. Yes, there were houses in my price range. Loads of them. And I looked at them all. Only, none of them made too much sense. After travel time and/or living away from home most of the week, high taxes and the amount of work these places needed, I decided to give it one last shot locally.

IMG_8621

I caught this house on Craigs and the agent actually did her job (unheard of in NYC in my price range) by returning my call and showing me the house. Not only that, but she has followed through on everything with this deal.

Location is pretty darn good even if it’s not on the beach. It’s actually located on the bay side of the peninsula with a view of the water. The parks department bought the property across the street on the bay and it will be a park with an area to put in kayaks and such. At the rate they’re going, I’ll be finished before them. This is in the high Beach 80’s, close to Thai Rock and within walking distance to the hip beach area. Like 4 blocks walk to beach.

The house is not much to look at. New vinyl siding. Hate it! But since I gotta keep costs down and I don’t want to put all that vinyl in the dumpster, I’ll try to purdy it up best I can with some molding to take away from the fugliness.

IMG_8630

The 1920’s house probably never had any detail to begin with and it surely doesn’t now. There is actually wood flooring under that carpet, but who knows what I’ll find behind that drop ceiling and wall paneling? I’m thinking of going with Hollywood Regency style to spice it up.

It’s a legal 2 family of about 1000 square feet and I’ll keep as two units. I figure that rental income is never a bad thing. When all is said and done, the house should be fairly affordable to moderate income buyers. Even if someone just purchases it as a second home or two parties want to split it, the two apartments, although small, make sense.

The kitchens will get face lifts as will the entire house. What is NOT getting ripped out? Hello….

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So, here’s where this blog will take another turn. Look for info on The Rocks (Yeah, gross term, I know. I said it to make you puke in your mouth alittle.) in the upcoming months. I’ll be posting design tips and DIY videos once the renovation starts.

If you follow me on Pinterest and you’ve noticed me creating boards like “Siding options”, “Tiny Back Yards” and “Hollywood Regency” now you know why. Let the fun begin! (In about a month when I close.)

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