May 5 CB4 Meeting: Volunteers Needed

:Please come to the Community Board 4 meeting on Wednesday May 5 at 6:30 PM to speak in favor of the West 55 BA's request to close off West 55th (between Eighth and Ninth Avenues) on July 4.

We want to have a pre-fireworks Block Party that day. The CB4 meeting is at the Fulton Auditorium (119 Ninth Avenue between 17th and 18th). It starts at 6:30 PM and you only have to speak for 30-60 seconds.

If you come early to the meeting, you'll get a high spot on list of folks to speak and can say your piece and leave right after. You do NOT have to stay for the whole meeting.

We already have an okay from CB4's quality of life committee and the Midtown North Police Precinct. Now we need to go before the full board and ask for their support. We have been told that since this is a new event, there may be some skepticism and we should show up in force to show that the community really wants this.

The picnic will be BYO food and blankets and the first Block Party we've had in many years. We'll organize some silly races like a relay race to fill a glass of water using just a teaspoon. We'll need volunteers to handle setup and cleanup and other stuff but right now we need people to testify on Wednesday evening that they want this to happen.

Please email Christine at west55ba[AT]gmail[DOT]com with how you'd like to help.

UPDATE: Ten residents from West 55th Street showed up and CB4 approved our application for a block closure on Sunday, July 4. Next--and final step as far as permission goes--hearing from the Street Activities Permit Office of the Mayor. Stay tuned!