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Did you sign your kids up for The Bayport-Blue Point Library Summer Reading Club yet? There is still time. My children have been a part of the reading club since they were a year old. Yes - one years old! They did not read then, but you read books to them. There are different levels for age groups. Once you have read six books, you bring your list back to the library and you get a prize. At the end of the reading club in mid-August, there is a big party. My kids have tons of fun at this party. There is all the usual kid stuff that they love - games, music, bouncers, etc. The best part - it's all free. I don't know why more people don't take advantage of the library. =)
suffolk.lib.ny.us/libraries/bprt
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Fresh Air And Movies
This info was in Newsday last month and I cut it out, but have not gone yet. The Brookhaven Amphitheater at Bald Hill in Farmingville shows movies outside on their lawn on Wednesday nights. It costs $5 per carload. The movies are popular kid's movies that were all out in the past year - like "Kung Fu Panda" and "Hotel For Dogs". I would imagine that you bring a blanket, snacks and bug spray. The movies start at 8:15pm - once it gets dark. In the next few weeks, I am going to try to take the kids there. Here is the web address to check out the schedule. =)
http://brookhavenamphitheater.com/movie_sched_.html
http://brookhavenamphitheater.com/movie_sched_.html
Spelling Errors With Craig
Have you ever looked for a job on Craig's List? There are some interesting one, like you could be a beer pong referee! I have been looking for work on Craig's List - not as a referee. Just be careful because I am finding out that there are a lot of "scam" job out there. Most you can tell right away - like "we are looking for 20 qualified people" - to do what - who knows? But others look real and when I email them, they respond and you can tell it is something that I don't want to do.
Yesterday I got an email back from an ad. It was for a freelance writer, to write articles for blogs (which I have been doing for the past two years - if anyone wants to hire me?). In this email telling me about the job there were so many misspellings, that I just had to laugh. I did not reply back to it.
Yesterday I got an email back from an ad. It was for a freelance writer, to write articles for blogs (which I have been doing for the past two years - if anyone wants to hire me?). In this email telling me about the job there were so many misspellings, that I just had to laugh. I did not reply back to it.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Lions, Tigers And Bears - And Eagles And Goats!
I always forget about The Brookhaven Ecology Site in Holtsville. It is a great place to bring the kids - all year long and it is free!!! There is a big playground, an exercise track where kids can ride their bikes and roller blades. The best part is the animal preserve. It is the place to go - the kids will be amazed! They have the usual - goats, horses and pigs. Then there are animals that have been rescued and are now living there - bears, eagles and a lion.
The Ecology Site also has picnic tables and greenhouses. There is no charge for any of this. They have a pool, but I am not sure if there is a charge for it because I have never used it. If you kids are driving you crazy in the summer or winter - take them to The Brookhaven Ecology Site for a fun day!
http://www.brookhaven.org/HighwayDepartment/WildlifeEcologyCenter/tabid/113/Default.aspx
249 Buckley Road, Holtsville 631-758-9664
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
It's Snowing Religious Education
It's time to register for religion education classes at Our Lady Of The Snow Church in Blue Point. Your children can be as young at 3 years old to start Sunday School. My kids did Sunday School last year and loved it. It is held during the 9am Sunday Mass in The Little Church's basement. There is a great teacher and she has tons of help from teens making their Confirmation. They play games, sing songs, do crafts and have lots of fun. After Kindergarten, the formal education begins. The cost is $75 for one child, $100 for two and $110 for three or more. Call to register today 631-363-6394
http://www.ourladyofthesnowbluepoint.e-paluch.com/
http://www.ourladyofthesnowbluepoint.e-paluch.com/
Free Common Ground
I have never been, but just picked up a brochure for The Common Ground - a park between Gillette and Candee Avenues in Sayville. They hold all sorts of free events in the summer. I am going to check out the ones for kids - so come back and find out how it went.
This Friday is Darlene Graham Song and Dance at 6:30pm. I am not going to that because my daughter hates music and hates dancing. But going to check it out on August 7th for a puppet show. Just something to do. Here's the site http://thecommonground.com/familyfridays2009.html
This Friday is Darlene Graham Song and Dance at 6:30pm. I am not going to that because my daughter hates music and hates dancing. But going to check it out on August 7th for a puppet show. Just something to do. Here's the site http://thecommonground.com/familyfridays2009.html
Bayport Safety Group
Below is some interesting information from The Bayport Safety Group ~
The Bayport Safety Committee on June 16th held a well publicized, highly attended, robust community forum on traffic safety issues at the Academy Street Elementary School. The Committee also surveyed hundreds of Bayport residents on the quality of life issues related to vehicular speeding and reckless driving that affect our neighborhood. All viewpoints and related actual experiences on the topic were encouraged to be expressed. No opinions were neglected, it was an interesting evening.
The main focus of our concern has to deal with the historic heart of our community, Middle Road. This beautiful collection of 19th and early 20th century houses should be made into a "National Historic Registry District". It must not continue to be despoiled by the out of control vehicular speeding problem. The 30 m.p.h. posted speed limit is adhered to by less than 10% of the motorists who traverse this road, many of whom are our neighbors. Speeds of 50 to 65 m.p.h. are the norm. If a pedestrian is struck by a car doing 30 m.p.h., that individuals statistical chance of survival is 20%. Lower that to zero if the vehicle is a high-front van, SUV or landscaping truck. Thus safety for our families, friends and pets is our paramount issue. This is a topic on which there can be no logical disagreement. Where the trouble occurs is how to address the speeding problem--stoplights, stop signs, speed bumps, chicanes, rumble strips, police speed traps, better engineering or just good old fashioned responsible driving? That is the problem we face. We have analyzed our survey data, listened to forum participants and are now prepared to offer some remedies.
We are not traffic engineers or behavioral psychologists. Our proposal is not infallible, but reflects a prevailing majority respondent input. We are solely "concerned neighbors" who want to see a "common sense" solution to this traffic issue that will benefit all our residents. What once was a pleasant, bucolic, winding road has become at times a fearful, dangerous annoyance for responsible drivers and pedestrians. Excessive speeding, tailgating and illegal passing have become the norm not the exception on this stretch of road. It has become the "A-27-A By-Pass" for those wishing to avoid the traffic lights and congestion on Montauk Highway. The problems have been exacerbated by the increased traffic volume and lack of speed impediments on this 2-1/2 mile Middle Road/Gillette Avenue to Montauk Highway route.
Traffic calming encompasses what are called the 4 E's--Engineering, Enforcement, Education and Encouragement. Working off these categories we would like to offer our "street smart" recommendations for action:
ENGINEERING
Starting on the west end of Bayport by "Meadow Croft" and the "Loughlin Vineyard":
** Many people recreationally fish, bike, jog or walk on this natural stretch. Some type of engineered speed impediment should be incorporated into the roadbed by Brown's River to discourage vehicles from going over 30 m.p.h., thereby protecting these individuals.
** Following this open stretch there should be an attractive "Welcome to Historic Bayport" carved wood sign with "Speed limit strictly enforced" engraved underneath. An identical sign should be placed on Middle Road just east of Gillette Avenue.
** The next section of Middle Road from the first houses at Baywood Lane/Crestview Drive to Suydam Lane needs mitigation to slow the flow--this is a problem--McConnell Avenue is the most logical place for a stop sign, it is a dangerous curve, however the street does not align well for signage. Our committee could not agree on another stop sign location.
** All our other stop sign proposed placements correspond with pedestrian crosswalks at busy, important neighborhood locations. Edgewater Avenue--a 3 way stop sign (Bayport Commons and a school crossing), Snedecor Avenue--a 4 way stop sign (Methodist Church, Tiny Tots Nursery and a school crossing), Bayport Avenue--a 3 way stop sign and overhead red flasher (old downtown, and dangerous curve), Gillette Avenue--a 4 way stop sign and overhead red flasher (important recreational crossing and dangerous curve).
** We feel the sidewalk gaps on the south side of Middle Road need to be remedied. This is a "pedestrian" school district without busing. Unfortunately these gaps make foot or bike transit dangerous for our children, a situation that even in this tough fiscal climate needs to be addressed. The existing contiguous sidewalks on the north side of Middle Road also need routine maintenance (i.e. pruning and crack repair). Our pedestrian crosswalks need clear delineation with more durable paint, not decals and where appropriate "right of way" road cones.
** Trying to make a turn on Montauk Highway is a motorist nightmare. We feel the south turn signal at Gillette Avenue serves a very beneficial purpose. We would additionally add one east bound at the same location so drivers could turn north onto Gillette with ease and confidence. At Montauk Highway and Bayport Avenue we would add both north and south turn light signals. At Snedecor Avenue a south turn light should be installed eastbound. The same signal should be placed at McConnell Avenue. These additional turning lights would diffuse the traffic that now gravitates to the southbound Gillette Avenue signal for safety reasons. These measures would lessen the traffic burden on both Gillette and Middle Road.
** The Town of Islip program that planted 58 new trees curbside on Bayport Avenue should be expanded to as many other streets as is fiscally possible. Visually they help slow traffic.
ENFORCEMENT
** We cannot expect to always have police on demand when conditions cry out. The proposed stop signs would reduce the need for speed patrols. However, the reckless drivers who disobey our school crossing guards while also running stop signs and speeding still need to be ticketed. We would ask for police resources to be deployed during the school year from 7:15 to 9:00 a.m. and 2:15 to 6:30 p.m. Some people need $100 speeding tickets and penalty points on their licenses to get the message.
** Increased DWI patrol on weekend nights.
** One of the biggest speed culprits is the S-40 Bus that uses Blue Point Avenue and Middle Road as an "alternate route". Ridership on this diverted route leg appears to be minimal. It should be kept solely up on Montauk Highway instead of our narrow residential roads.
EDUCATION
** Our teen-age students are the next generation of motorists. Offer a mandatory driver education program at the High School, as well as a refresher defensive driver course for older folks.
ENCOURAGEMENT
** Develop a public safety program for our schools as well as residents. This is a wonderful area we are fortunate enough to reside in, why not a campaign touting "Drive at 25" and enjoy the scenery. Life is short enough--this is often forgotten when speeding to a child sports event or stressful job. There is something to be said for the slogan--"Stop and smell the roses".
CONCLUSION
The Bayport Safety Committee has been formed to make the community aware that there is a serious quality of life problem that taints our enjoyment of the wonderful benefits of living here--traffic anarchy. Many neighbors through the years have perished in horrible accidents. It is not "if" there will be another tragic case of a poor resident being killed or maimed but "when". It could be a member of your family, a close friend or a neighbor on the next block. We have the power to fight this inevitability. The "status quo" is not acceptable. No more road mayhem, let's slow things down.
NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT------NOT ANOTHER 20 OR THIRTY YEARS FROM TODAY!
Bayport Safety will walk the streets this summer to enlist more support. We welcome all the help we can garner. We will petition our present as well as potential future political leaders to help achieve our goals. Come September we will hold a second community forum and possibly a fundraiser. We already have promised donations for our "Welcome to Historic Bayport" sign proposal as well as the "public awareness" campaign. We have struck a responsive chord amongst the citizenry. We are also exploring the possibility of turning the responsibility for Middle Road from the County to the Town of Islip. It is easier to fix a neighborhood problem at the grass-root level. The responsiveness of the individuals sitting as well as aspiring to be members of the Islip Town Council at our forum was heartening. We look forward to a better, safer future.
Submitted by the: BAYPORT SAFETY COMMITTEE--contact us at bayportsafety@optonline.net
The Bayport Safety Committee on June 16th held a well publicized, highly attended, robust community forum on traffic safety issues at the Academy Street Elementary School. The Committee also surveyed hundreds of Bayport residents on the quality of life issues related to vehicular speeding and reckless driving that affect our neighborhood. All viewpoints and related actual experiences on the topic were encouraged to be expressed. No opinions were neglected, it was an interesting evening.
The main focus of our concern has to deal with the historic heart of our community, Middle Road. This beautiful collection of 19th and early 20th century houses should be made into a "National Historic Registry District". It must not continue to be despoiled by the out of control vehicular speeding problem. The 30 m.p.h. posted speed limit is adhered to by less than 10% of the motorists who traverse this road, many of whom are our neighbors. Speeds of 50 to 65 m.p.h. are the norm. If a pedestrian is struck by a car doing 30 m.p.h., that individuals statistical chance of survival is 20%. Lower that to zero if the vehicle is a high-front van, SUV or landscaping truck. Thus safety for our families, friends and pets is our paramount issue. This is a topic on which there can be no logical disagreement. Where the trouble occurs is how to address the speeding problem--stoplights, stop signs, speed bumps, chicanes, rumble strips, police speed traps, better engineering or just good old fashioned responsible driving? That is the problem we face. We have analyzed our survey data, listened to forum participants and are now prepared to offer some remedies.
We are not traffic engineers or behavioral psychologists. Our proposal is not infallible, but reflects a prevailing majority respondent input. We are solely "concerned neighbors" who want to see a "common sense" solution to this traffic issue that will benefit all our residents. What once was a pleasant, bucolic, winding road has become at times a fearful, dangerous annoyance for responsible drivers and pedestrians. Excessive speeding, tailgating and illegal passing have become the norm not the exception on this stretch of road. It has become the "A-27-A By-Pass" for those wishing to avoid the traffic lights and congestion on Montauk Highway. The problems have been exacerbated by the increased traffic volume and lack of speed impediments on this 2-1/2 mile Middle Road/Gillette Avenue to Montauk Highway route.
Traffic calming encompasses what are called the 4 E's--Engineering, Enforcement, Education and Encouragement. Working off these categories we would like to offer our "street smart" recommendations for action:
ENGINEERING
Starting on the west end of Bayport by "Meadow Croft" and the "Loughlin Vineyard":
** Many people recreationally fish, bike, jog or walk on this natural stretch. Some type of engineered speed impediment should be incorporated into the roadbed by Brown's River to discourage vehicles from going over 30 m.p.h., thereby protecting these individuals.
** Following this open stretch there should be an attractive "Welcome to Historic Bayport" carved wood sign with "Speed limit strictly enforced" engraved underneath. An identical sign should be placed on Middle Road just east of Gillette Avenue.
** The next section of Middle Road from the first houses at Baywood Lane/Crestview Drive to Suydam Lane needs mitigation to slow the flow--this is a problem--McConnell Avenue is the most logical place for a stop sign, it is a dangerous curve, however the street does not align well for signage. Our committee could not agree on another stop sign location.
** All our other stop sign proposed placements correspond with pedestrian crosswalks at busy, important neighborhood locations. Edgewater Avenue--a 3 way stop sign (Bayport Commons and a school crossing), Snedecor Avenue--a 4 way stop sign (Methodist Church, Tiny Tots Nursery and a school crossing), Bayport Avenue--a 3 way stop sign and overhead red flasher (old downtown, and dangerous curve), Gillette Avenue--a 4 way stop sign and overhead red flasher (important recreational crossing and dangerous curve).
** We feel the sidewalk gaps on the south side of Middle Road need to be remedied. This is a "pedestrian" school district without busing. Unfortunately these gaps make foot or bike transit dangerous for our children, a situation that even in this tough fiscal climate needs to be addressed. The existing contiguous sidewalks on the north side of Middle Road also need routine maintenance (i.e. pruning and crack repair). Our pedestrian crosswalks need clear delineation with more durable paint, not decals and where appropriate "right of way" road cones.
** Trying to make a turn on Montauk Highway is a motorist nightmare. We feel the south turn signal at Gillette Avenue serves a very beneficial purpose. We would additionally add one east bound at the same location so drivers could turn north onto Gillette with ease and confidence. At Montauk Highway and Bayport Avenue we would add both north and south turn light signals. At Snedecor Avenue a south turn light should be installed eastbound. The same signal should be placed at McConnell Avenue. These additional turning lights would diffuse the traffic that now gravitates to the southbound Gillette Avenue signal for safety reasons. These measures would lessen the traffic burden on both Gillette and Middle Road.
** The Town of Islip program that planted 58 new trees curbside on Bayport Avenue should be expanded to as many other streets as is fiscally possible. Visually they help slow traffic.
ENFORCEMENT
** We cannot expect to always have police on demand when conditions cry out. The proposed stop signs would reduce the need for speed patrols. However, the reckless drivers who disobey our school crossing guards while also running stop signs and speeding still need to be ticketed. We would ask for police resources to be deployed during the school year from 7:15 to 9:00 a.m. and 2:15 to 6:30 p.m. Some people need $100 speeding tickets and penalty points on their licenses to get the message.
** Increased DWI patrol on weekend nights.
** One of the biggest speed culprits is the S-40 Bus that uses Blue Point Avenue and Middle Road as an "alternate route". Ridership on this diverted route leg appears to be minimal. It should be kept solely up on Montauk Highway instead of our narrow residential roads.
EDUCATION
** Our teen-age students are the next generation of motorists. Offer a mandatory driver education program at the High School, as well as a refresher defensive driver course for older folks.
ENCOURAGEMENT
** Develop a public safety program for our schools as well as residents. This is a wonderful area we are fortunate enough to reside in, why not a campaign touting "Drive at 25" and enjoy the scenery. Life is short enough--this is often forgotten when speeding to a child sports event or stressful job. There is something to be said for the slogan--"Stop and smell the roses".
CONCLUSION
The Bayport Safety Committee has been formed to make the community aware that there is a serious quality of life problem that taints our enjoyment of the wonderful benefits of living here--traffic anarchy. Many neighbors through the years have perished in horrible accidents. It is not "if" there will be another tragic case of a poor resident being killed or maimed but "when". It could be a member of your family, a close friend or a neighbor on the next block. We have the power to fight this inevitability. The "status quo" is not acceptable. No more road mayhem, let's slow things down.
NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT------NOT ANOTHER 20 OR THIRTY YEARS FROM TODAY!
Bayport Safety will walk the streets this summer to enlist more support. We welcome all the help we can garner. We will petition our present as well as potential future political leaders to help achieve our goals. Come September we will hold a second community forum and possibly a fundraiser. We already have promised donations for our "Welcome to Historic Bayport" sign proposal as well as the "public awareness" campaign. We have struck a responsive chord amongst the citizenry. We are also exploring the possibility of turning the responsibility for Middle Road from the County to the Town of Islip. It is easier to fix a neighborhood problem at the grass-root level. The responsiveness of the individuals sitting as well as aspiring to be members of the Islip Town Council at our forum was heartening. We look forward to a better, safer future.
Submitted by the: BAYPORT SAFETY COMMITTEE--contact us at bayportsafety@optonline.net
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