Earlier this month, the 102nd Precinct Community Council held our 102nd Precinct’s Night Out Against Crime 2010. It was a beautiful, cool evening, the first in many weeks of hot summer weather.

The location was in the area of the Buddy Memorial on Park Lane South in Richmond Hill. There was a big crowd in attendance for live music by Woodhaven’s “Heartbreak Station,” with free hot dogs, pizza, soda, water, and ice cream pops. The Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation supplied free American flags, key chains and glow sticks.

The 102nd Precinct police officers, and even our Captain Armando DeLeon, were cooking the hot dogs for those in attendance. Again this year, our 102nd Precinct Community Council, Second Vice President Ranjit Singh (who celebrated his birthday that night), and our First Vice President Habans Singh Dhillon brought wonderful, tasty Indian food, fruit and additional drinks.

Our treasurer, Sandra Datnarain, also was there helping. I, as the president of the 102nd Precinct Community Council, on behalf of Honorable Michael Bloomberg, our New York City mayor, presented to our Captain Armando DeLeon a proclamation acknowledging our 102nd Precinct Council and our 102nd Precinct captain and police officers.

In attendance were Honorable Michael G. Miller, our New York State assemblyman; Honorable Elizabeth S. Crowley, our New York City councilwoman; and Honorable Eric A. Ulrich, our New York City councilman. We also received a proclamation from Honorable Anthony D. Weiner, our U.S. Congressman. It was a very enjoyable evening.

As to the aforementioned U.S. congressman, Honorable Anthony D. Weiner, he visited and walked Woodhaven’s Jamaica Avenue’s Woodhaven Business Improvement District on Friday, August 13, with our Woodhaven Business Improvement District President Mathew Xenakis, former WBID President Doug Gerowski, Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation President Stephen Esposito, and WBID Board Members Mark Klimm and Rudy May, and myself as executive director.

We walked and talked about our stores, businesses, the Jamaica Avenue El, and all of the economic problems of our small business owners. It was a very fruitful visit. (By the way, we ended our walk at Pops, which our congressman thoroughly enjoyed).

I hope that you have been shopping Woodhaven’s Jamaica Avenue for “Back to School” bargains! Yes, this weekend continue to shop your award-winning Woodhaven Business Improvement District from Dexter Court to 100th Street on Woodhaven’s Jamaica Avenue, where you can buy your school supplies, shirts, slacks, blouses, dresses, shoes, bags and anything and everything to make your children happy to return to school.

All of these purchases will be the envy of their fellow schoolmates all at bargain prices. We have great purchases available with great savings on Woodhaven’s Jamaica Avenue. Especially Saturday, August 28, when your WBID will sponsor “Back to School” Sales Days with live music, face painters and free giveaways including American flags, all along our Woodhaven’s Jamaica Avenue. ll courtesy of your storeowners and Business owners that care enough to contribute to the WBID that make these activities possible.

So remember, Saturday, August 28, from noon on shop while you enjoy the music, the clowns, and free face painting. Then relax by eating out or ordering in at the many restaurants with good food, great sales, fun events and extra Woodhaven Business Improvement District Security. Only in Woodhaven! Where the prices are right, the streets are clean and you can enjoy shopping and dining in a safe, warm atmosphere.

Very important: vote on Primary Day, Tuesday, September 14, and Election Day, Tuesday, November 2. And remember the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation-sponsored “Wonderful Woodhaven Street Festival” on October 10.

As you have noticed, the staircases to our Jamaica Avenue El are being completely removed and replaced. They look great! This is all in preparation for the reconstruction and painting of our J line train, finally.

The Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association and the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation continue to pursue rezoning for Woodhaven. I will keep you posted on our progress.

Last year at this time, we were asking you to e-mail and write letters to our New York State Secretary of State regarding the reinstatement of the Cease and Desist Order (protecting Woodhaven residents from unwanted real estate solicitations). Well, it has been reinstated! So please fill out a form today. You can have one mailed to you by calling the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation at (718) 805-0202 or the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association at (718) 296-3735, or registering electronically by going to the website at www.dos.state.ny.us.

Remember our America is at war, so please fly our American flag from your home or from your apartment above all others. “Never Forget and Never Again” - God bless America.