Letter from the President

This has been a busy four years for the Block Association.We have replaced and upgraded most of the wickets on West 9 Street, a tremendous achievement for a volunteer community organization. We have hired a gardener and developed an integrated planting plan that gets more beautiful each year. We have improved fundraising efforts in a tough economy and substantially stabilized our financial base.We have increased membership, launched a website, encouraged greater participation in our events, reinstituted Spring Planting Day, and preserved the charm of our historic block.

There is only one reason why. All this was possible thanks to enthusiastic residents who love West 9th street and got involved! They stepped up and volunteered because they understood that without their energy, their time, their donations and their commitment, our block would be quickly neglected, unprotected and diminished.

West 9th Street is a very special place. If you ever question that, look at the faces of tourists, residents from neighboring blocks, friends from other parts of the country and around the globe when they walk down our block.They feel a little envious.They want to live here, too. Because West 9th Street is the center jewel of one of the most unique neighborhoods in the world.We must work together to keep it that way. Please volunteer, contribute, get involved. It’s too wonderful a block, in too wonderful a city, to do anything less.

Allan Ishac
President

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Spring Planting Day on Saturday, May 15th

When:
Saturday, May 15th, 10 am
(Rain Date – Sunday, May 16th)

Where:
Meet at 35 West 9th or email us here to let us know you intend to help out.

Why:
To make your block beautiful!

What Else:
If possible bring your own trowels, gloves, kneepads

Bake and souvenir sales, too.

Spring Block Party on Sunday, May 2nd

Our annual block party will be held on Sunday, May 2nd from 1:00 – 4:00 pm at Hotel Griffou. Join the West 9 Street Block Association, along with your neighbors and friends, for this gala event. Hotel Griffou has graciously agreed to be our host for this event, which means you can look forward to delicious hors d’oeuvres, sumptuous light fare, delightful desserts, plus complimentary wine and soft drinks.

Of course, you will be able to purchase our popular block T-shirts,West 9th greeting cards, and other block merchandise, perfect for showing off your West 9th Street pride.
Current Block Association members will be admitted free. Admission for other residents and friends is $10 per person at the door, applicable toward Association membership. Call Allan Ishac, 212-477-2993, for more information.

this meeting is big! Wednesday, March 24

Once a year you decide the future of your block. The Annual Meeting will be held 6:30 pm on Wednesday, March 24th at 19 University Place (just south of 8th Street).You’ll elect new officers who will guide West 9 Street for the next two years, hear about critical issues concerning your block, and learn about our big plans for the year ahead. Refreshments will be served and all attendees will receive a FREE West 9th Street souvenir (like postcards, greeting cards, t-shirts, surprises!).

Our Signs are Working

The block association has put up a series of signs to encourage curbing of dogs, discourage chaining of bikes to wickets, and let residents know how hard their donations are working. Near the PATH station, the NO BIKES signs have nearly eliminated bike parking, although the signs were badly damaged, perhaps by disgruntled cycle parkers. Let us know if you need a sign in front of your building.

Creating a Beautiful Block

Spring planting day was a huge success. The beds around our trees are the most beautiful in Greenwich Village, thanks to generous donations to the Block Association from our residents and the terrific volunteer labor from the 17 residents who took the morning of Saturday, May 16th to do the planting. This year the wickets are planted with caladium, begonias, dusty miller and ivy. The nicest thing happened during our planting chores. Village restaurant delivered gratis two large trays of sandwiches. They were delicious, egg salad with ham and onion and lettuce, on challah bread. They not only fed our volunteers but also the support team of workers from our gardening company, Blondie’s Treehouse, and all were thrilled.

Many thanks to Susan Sandler, Beautification Chairperson, who ably organized the day. Also thanks to Nina King and Patty Brundage, who spent the morning selling their homemade baked goods and block association T-shirts.

Now comes the critical part of our beautiful beds: keeping them looking that way. Our landscaper sends someone periodically to weed the beds. But please, take it upon yourself to lop off any dead leaves or broken stems. If we survey our beds regularly, picking up any debris, they will look great throughout the summer. Although the landscaper picked sturdy plants that can stand up to many urban assaults, the hot weather of July and August can overwhelm the growth, so please upplement our regular watering efforts by giving the plants in front of your building an extra drink.

Spring Planting Day on May 16

If you love flowers, you’ll love our Spring Planting Day. On Saturday, May 16th, resident volunteers will gather to help plant the tree beds along West 9th Street. You don’t need to have any experience in gardening. Tina Dituri, our professional gardener, or someone from her staff, will be on hand to direct you.

We will meet at 10 a.m. in front of 35 West 9th Street. This year we will have white caladium, red begonias, dusty millers, and, in some beds, blue liriope. Tina will bring the plants; you’ll need to bring your energy and enthusiasm. Also, please bring any gardening implements, gloves, or tools you have, especially trowels or anything that can be used to dig.

We have more than 30 beds to plant, so depending on how many volunteers we get, a team of two will plant several beds. If you would like to help out, plan on being busy until noon or 1 p.m., or for however long you can stay.

On the same day, we will set up tables in front of 35 West 9th to sell block merchandise (T-shirts, cards, umbrellas), baked goods, and flowers. We’ll also have a membership table if you would like to join the Association that day. Volunteers are also needed for the event tables.

This is our first Spring Planting Day in 10 years, and a wonderful chance to come out and beautify your block for the entire summer!

If you can help, please e-mail Beautification Chairperson Susan Sandler at  ssandler7@nyc.rr.com , who is organizing the volunteers for both planting and event tables.