Did you vote on Election Day? I hope you did, no matter the office or the candidate, you have to voice your preference through your vote. Remember, the right to vote was not offered or given, it was fought for and won with blood, sweat, and tears. So honor those that sacrificed for this sacred right and exercise it by voting every Election Day.

To those elected, congratulations and we look forward to continuing to work with each of you during your new terms to better and improve our Woodhaven. We are thankful that for the first time, after six elections in the last 18 months, Woodhaven has elected officials in place for a stable length of time.

This year we did not have an Official Veteran’s Day Observance, but as always our Woodhaven’s Veterans Monument at our beautifully renovated Forest Parkway Plaza and WWII Monument were the focal points of our commemorating this day. It was festooned with American flags, and a wreath placed so that our Woodhaven veterans would be honored. These veterans of WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in this way are remembered every day.

All of these men and women of our armed forces who now continue to fight this war against the evil of terrorism, preserving our way of life. This Veterans Day, as on every day, we should remember all of these brave men and women. It is because of them that we have our freedom and our great America is strong. Our good thoughts and prayers are with these our past and present protectors.

Important information: Honorable Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., our state senator, has announced that he will be holding office hours on Saturday, November 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Woodhaven Library, 85-41 Forest Parkway. Our state senator will be there to answer your questions and offer information on HEAP (Heating Assistance Program). This is a great opportunity to drop by and speak to our state senator.

Also, by November 24 you can apply for Correction Officers, Environmental Police Officer, Police Officer, and Traffic Enforcement Agent jobs by calling 311 or (212) NEWYORK or visiting www.nyc.gov/dcas.

Now, we move on to the next Woodhaven event: the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association “The Guardian of Woodhaven” Dinner Dance, celebrating their 38th year. This year this Dinner Dance will be held at the beautiful Villa Russo in Ozone Park on Friday, November 20, at 7:30 p.m.

Honorees include St. Thomas the Apostle’s R.C. Church on its 100th Anniversary, Woman of the Year 2009 Miss Judith M. Graves, Mommy and Me instructor, Business Owner of the Year Hanshi Myron M. Lubitsch, owner and Founder of the Imperial Dragon Hombu Dojo Shorinjiryu-Kenryukan Karate, President of Shorinjiryu-Shinzen Kyokai, for over 30 years, and Community Volunteer of the Year Edward K. Wendell of www.ProjectWoodhaven.com.

There will be dining, dancing and a very enjoyable evening, as always. The tickets are priced at only $65 each. What a small price for a great evening. So get your tickets now by calling (718) 296-3735.

Mark your calendars for the Woodhaven Business Improvement District Holidays In Woodhaven Weekend on Friday December 4, at 6:30 p.m. for our “Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony” and the next day, Saturday, December 5, the Welcome “Santa to Woodhaven” Parade kicks off at noon along Jamaica Avenue. All sponsored and paid for by your local stores and business owners. In these difficult times, please shop locally on Woodhaven’s Jamaica Avenue for the holidays. They support us, please support them.

Again, may God bless our veterans who have preserved our freedom, may God bless our armed forces who perpetuate our freedom, and may God bless our America.