Rego Park Green Alliance

Article in Our Queens Chronicle

2012-01-19T11:04:00.001-08:00

Slow Zone article in our local newspaper. Thanks Queens Chronicle!

Rego Park Green Alliance Meets Councilwoman Koslowitz

2012-01-18T07:59:00.000-08:00

Members of the Alliance meet with Councilwoman Koslowitz to obtain support for a slow zone with boundaries on the north being the LIRR, the east 63rd Drive, the west Woodhaven, and the south where 63rd Drive meets Woodhaven. The area includes all streets in the perimeter including Alderton and 63rd Avenue. "We are trying to get people to obey the laws," said Rebecca cofounder of the Rego Park Green Alliance. There are also many more issues like crashes on Alderton because the street is too narrow for SUV's going in opposite directions plus cars parked their. On Dec 23rd a little girl walking home was almost hit when two SUV's came to a sudden halt once they realized they were just too big to make it through at the same time. "Honestly, cars just can't fit through with cars being allowed to park also," says Yvonne Shortt an Alderton Committee member. There have also been cars turning onto Alderton from 63rd Drive crashing because the meters extend too far on Aderton. The committee is working hard to get things done and we would like to thank the councilwoman for her genuine concern and support regarding our community. "The Councilwoman was incredibly nice and I hope she can help us, at least I know she will try," said Rebecca West.

Petition for Slow Zone From The Rego Park Green Alliance

2012-01-12T20:50:00.000-08:00

RPGA wants a safe Rego Park and a few brave residents are taking action to make it happen.

The Alderton Committee leads ( Yvonne, Elby, Jay,John, Kathy, Rebecca, & Clara) for the Rego Park Green Alliance are leading an effort in their community to obtain a slow zone. Rebecca and Clara, two of the youth on the committee, braved the cold weather with the other committee leads to get signatures from residents in the slow zone. We also went around to schools and small businesses to obtain letters. Later this month we will be meeting with our councilwoman to obtain her support. Last night we went to our community board to let them know about our petition and to obtain support. The borders for the slow zone are the LIRR, Woodhaven BLVD, 63rd Drive, and where 63rd Avenue and Woodhaven meet. This includes 62nd drive, 62nd road, 62 Avenue, and 63rd Avenue.

Forest Hills Y Green Day Event May 6th 1-4

2012-01-09T20:16:00.000-08:00

The Rego Park Green Alliance will exhibit paper dress masterpieces based on the three R's. It should be an exciting event. For the last two years we did green wall installations and this year we wanted to switch it up a bit. Mark the date!

Paper Masterpieces: The Dress Collection

2012-01-03T17:52:00.001-08:00

Paper is everywhere and that's why the Rego Park Green Alliance will be working to create paper masterpieces out of scraps. After a small exhibit upstate we realized that not only is it fun to design with paper but a creation can turn into a masterpiece. Over the next couple of months we will be creating these masterpieces at libraries and schools. We will also offer paper dress products for sale so others can be inspired to create their own masterpieces. The proceeds will fund a multitude of key programs like growing vegetables for food banks.

Small Gardens In Private Homes To End Hunger

2011-12-14T08:21:00.000-08:00

Over 17 million children in the United States live at risk of hunger. 17 million children across the United States need your ideas and commitment to solving this issue through service. Unemployment and home foreclose are issues impacting a communities ability to feed itself. That's why we will be implementing an idea sponsored by a 13 year old girl to create small gardens this spring in private homes and public spaces. Let us know if you can grow tomatoes or other vegetables this spring. We will provide the planters and materials

Yvonne Shortt

Executive Director

Rego park Green Alliance

Jazz In Rego Park on September 17th

2011-09-12T08:23:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Adam, a volunteer with the Rego park Green Alliance, we will have Jazz this weekend.

Date: September 17th

Time: 6:30

Location: Our Saviour (Corner of 63rd Dive and Wetherole)

Take theM/R to 63rd drive and walk south three blocks

Bring a picnic basket and relax

Shakespeare In The Park-Rego Park that is

2011-06-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

The Rego Park Green Alliance Presents

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

On the Lawn Of Our Saviour

(Wetherole and 63rd Drive)

This merry war of wits is the quintessential romantic comedy--full of eavesdropping, deception and triumphant love.

Running time: 90 minutes. Appropriate for all ages. Bring a blanket or low chair and picnic fare!

Directed by Jason Marr

Costume Design by Nancy Nichols

Featuring: Cristina Carrion, Brett Dameron, Tim Dowd, Whitney Egbert, Terry Gibson*, Erick Gonzalez, Harry Jones, Damon Kinard*, Kurt Kingsley*, Joy Marr*, Rafael Miguel, Elizabeth Alice Murray* and Kevin Shimko

*Appears courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association

Green For Queens Day

2011-05-03T19:56:00.000-07:00

The Rego Park Green Alliance will be taking part in a Green For Queens Day event. We will be again showing our green wall except this time we will have it filled with herbs like basil, rosemary, and oregano.

2nd Annual Green for Queens

Community Earth Day Fair

Sunday, May 15 – 1-4 p.m.

FREE Environmental Festival for everyone!

CENTRAL QUEENS YM & YWHA
67-09 108 Street, Forest Hills , NY 11375
(718) 268-5011 or Pkurtz@centralqueensy.org

Earth Friendly Fun For Kids:

Wildlife Children’s Theater of the Central Park Zoo
The Rego Park Green Alliance
Big Apple “Circus to Go”
Music and cooking for kids!
Create an edible eco-system & eco-crafts.
Learn about worm composting!
Snakes & Worms & Other Wild Animals!

Green Vendors, Exhibits, and Talks for Adults:

Sustainable Food: local & organic cheese & coffee tastings, vegetarian cooking demonstrations, and more!
Bestselling Author Anna Lappe speaking on Diet for a Hot Planet at 3:00 p.m.

(Babysitting available during Anna Lappe’s talk.)

Learn how you can save energy, save $ & fight global warming!
Recycle: cell phones, rechargeable batteries, clothes & shoes.
Sign up for a FREE energy audit or for clean wind energy. (Bring one year of your gas & electric bills along)
Learn about neighborhood organic food coops, community gardens, white roofs, bike paths, and green walls.
Free reusable water bottles, shopping bags, and CFL light bulbs!

And for all: Delicious, healthy snacks!

Presented by Queens Green Alliance & the Central Queens YM & YWHA, with: Ahmadiyya Muslim Center, Bamboomoves, Beyond Oil NYC, Cub Pack 96 & Venture Crew 96, Church in the Gardens, Forest Hills CSA, Forest Hills Jewish Center, Glendale CSA, Green City Challenge, Hillcrest Jewish Center, Israel Center of Conservative Judaism, Marathon JCC, Queens Community for Cultural Judaism, Queens Harvest Food Coop, Queens Holistic Moms, Queens Jewish Center, Queens Jewish Community Council, Queens Mamas, Reform Temple of Forest Hills, Rego Park Green Alliance, Solomon Schechter School of Queens, Sustainable Forest Hills, Transportation Alternatives, Tuv Ha’Aretz CSA

Cleanup 63rd Drive Documentary

2011-02-24T16:11:00.000-08:00

The Rego Park Green Alliance, a community based non profit, has just finished a video documenting all the great work we are doing in the community and asking our state representatives and council woman for help with the 63rd Drive Underpass. For the past two years we have organized cleanups, held a community paint day to create the REAL Good Mural, and obtained new garbage cans along the area. The Doe Fund is cleaning up along 63rd Drive and we would love to have them walk two blocks more and cleanup under the underpass on 63rd Drive between Alderton and Austin. On any given day hundreds of families walk along that underpass and the garbage is horrible. Sometimes there are tires and dead birds. Please help our community?

To View Our Plea Please Click Here

Rego Park Green Alliance Mural On Film

2010-09-20T17:57:00.000-07:00

Thank you Josh Kesner for putting together this great clip documenting one of our mural projects at P.S. 139

Click Here

Rego Park Green Alliance Secures Disney Grant

2010-09-16T06:27:00.000-07:00

Five months ago twelve year old Rebecca West, Director of Youth Development, wrote a grant to use education and creativity to reduce the amount of garbage in landfills. Her project includes creating 1 foot cubes with sustainability messages created by kids. The kids will also design the cubes with supplies kept out of landfills.

Rego Park Jazz with a Klezmer Twist

2010-07-27T18:51:00.000-07:00

Rego Park Green Alliance & Our Saviour Presents
Real Good Jazz with a Klezmer Twist
Saturday, August 28th 7-8:30 p.m.
Oran Etkin Quartet
Our Saviour (63rd Drive & Wetherole) on the Green

Bring a picnic basket & enjoy the people and music
...

Sidewalk Astronomy in Rego Park

2010-07-23T16:05:00.001-07:00

What a great event we had last night. We saw the moon and several stars. It was truly magical and we were honored to help host it.

The Rego Park Green Alliance

Sidewalk Star Viewing In Rego Park

2010-06-22T15:03:00.000-07:00

On July 19th (Cloud date Wednesday July 21st) Kate, one of our volunteers, has helped secure a telescope viewing of the open sky at Our Lady Of Angelus Athletic Field ( 63rd Drive and 98th Street). The event will happen at 9:00. Stop by and see Saturn and whatever else is in the open sky. Thank you Kate, Amateur Astronomers Association, and our Lady of Angelus.

Rego Park Green Alliance Presents Salsa At Sunset Music Concert

2010-06-07T14:10:00.000-07:00

What a fun concert we had. It was great to kick off my sneakers and learn how to dance to the salsa beat. Adam you are an amazing musician and organizer. What a fabulous dance instructor we had. The band was fantastic. The setup at Our Saviour was fabulous. Our Saviour, thank you for hosting the event. Mary, thank you for the wonderful landscaping of the church grounds. Peter, thank you for getting the permit. Elizabeth & David thank you for coordinating everything with the church. Sarah & others, thank you for hanging flyers in your buildings. Everyone else, thank you for showing up and having a wonderful time!

The Rego Park Green Alliance

Empowering communities through music, murals, garden installations, and education

Rego Park Green Alliance Youth Volunteer Selected As A Kohl's Kid Who Cares

2010-05-21T09:59:00.000-07:00

Rebecca of the Rego Park Green Alliance was selected as a Kohl's Kid Who Cares. Rebecca has worked with the alliance for over two years. Her volunteer efforts have included illustrating a book about going green in schools, creating sustainable art and discussing it at local events, helping paint murals,getting the word out to other youth, installing urban gardens and green walls, and so much more. On behalf of the Rego Park Green Alliance, congratulations Rebecca for your years of service.

Yvonne Shortt
Co-Founder

Rego Park Green Alliance secures $5,000 for Mural, Garden, & Stenciling in Schoolyard

2010-05-18T08:18:00.001-07:00

The art garden project is almost finished. We have completed installation of the vegetable garden & the mural. Now we will work on installing two stencills with the help of the school kids and alliance members.

Salsa At Sunset Concert On June 5th In Rego Park Presented By Rego Park Green Alliance

2010-05-17T13:57:00.000-07:00

Salsa At Sunset Music Concert

Show starts at 7pm-8:30pm
On the lawn at Our Saviour Church (63rd Drive & Wetherole)
Free dance class at 6pm
Salsa and Latin Jazz performed by Axel Tosca and Unity
Rain or shine!
Note that we have an indoor location :)
Bring blankets!

Rego Park Green Alliance Hosts Green Wall At Hevesi Y

2010-04-27T14:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Rego Park Green Alliance,

I just want to thank the Rego Park Green Alliance for being a part of a very successful Green for Queens Earth Day Fair! Despite the dismal, rainy weather, I think we had a great crowd and people were extremely enthusiastic. Your participation was key to making this a hit. Your table had very informative information about green walls and sustainable art. Many of our attendees mentioned it in their exit surveys.

It was a pleasure to work with you. Please do keep us in mind if you would like to come back out for a summer program for kids or an anytime program for adults!

Peggy Kurtz
Hevesi Jewish Heritage Library
Central Queens YM&YWHA
67-09 108th Street
Forest Hills, New York 11375
Phone: (718) 268-5011, ext. 151
Fax: (718) 793-0515
Pkurtz@cqyjcc.org

Pocket Garden installed by the Rego Park Green Alliance: Small hope for an area devoid of public green spaces

2010-04-22T06:50:00.001-07:00

Six months ago the Rego Park Green Alliance saw a neglected space along the side entrance of a church. “It was overgrown with weeds and there was also a pile of bagels, they had been thrown into the area to feed the pigeons,” says Shortt, co-founder of the Rego Park Green Alliance. Shortt says after several conversations with Our Saviour on 63rd Street, they had a plan. During two phases they would cleanup the area and create a low maintenance garden designed for planting and reading.

The Pocket Garden was born in a 9X40 foot space with the help of Colta Ives from Colta Ives Landscape and Design and the committed volunteers of the Rego Park Green Alliance. There are two conversation areas in the center, a wood bench created for $15.00, and tree trunks with handles for the kids. “The tree trunks were taken from the trees that were knocked down during our last storm,” Says Shortt. There are also planting beds filled with tulips, hyacinth, and daffodils. Along the back wall are three large Cypresses and there are several vines along the side that will eventually hide a fence separating the church from the building next store.

The Pocket Garden is a proof of concept according to Shortt. “We would like to find other outward facing neglected spots and create more Pocket Garden oases,” she says. If you know of other spots in Rego Park that are neglected, outward facing, and would make the perfect candidate for a garden contact Mrs. Shortt at Yvonne@kidstechlabs.com.

Rego Park Vegetable Garden: P.S. 139 Kids Show Everything Is Possible

2010-04-17T12:38:00.000-07:00

So much is possible with the help of a school and a community. This month P.S. 139 planted basil, lettuce, oregano, peas, beans, and so much more in front of their school. "We didn't have any shade so we couldn't plant the garden inside the gate, we had to plant the garden on the sidewalk and hope the community would love it." says Yvonne Shortt co-founder of the Rego Park Green Alliance. The Rego Park Green Alliance is a local community group that secured the grant and worked with parents and teachers to organize the planting.

The best part is the community has loved and help nurture the garden. "Sometimes parents walk by and rub the basil. Then they smell their hands and smile," says Shortt.

The Rego Park Green Alliance has also organized a mural behind the garden. Plants and butterflies can be seen behind the planters on a bright yellow wall. On most mornings kids and parents can be seen looking at the plants and measuring their progress. The science teachers have also been a great asset to the garden. Teachers took over 200 children out to help get the garden planted and they work with the children everyday to water the plants.

"If you have a committed community anything is possible," says Shortt. And you know what? I believe her.

Written By Richard West

Rego Park Green Alliance Music & Arts Festival

2010-03-14T13:03:00.000-07:00

We have painted murals, held music concerts, installed gardens, and more. This year we will be trying our hand at a Music & Arts festival. For two weeks in either June or July we will have a series of events that promotes community spirit, music, art, and environmental sustainability in our community at venues in our community. Imagine learning salsa and having a salsa concert, cleaning up a mural & sharing pizza with friends, Classical Chinese music in an open space. This is our vision and we need help.

Here is what we have and what we need.

Music program manager: Adam
Fundraiser: Yvonne & position open
Marketing & Publicity: Position Open
Artwork: Richard & Open Position
Program Manager: Position Open
Permits Manager: Position Open
Music & Arts General Festival Manager: Yvonne & Open position

If you can help with any of the above please let us know.

Yvonne
917 597 3089

BambooMoves On The Green Wall Series

2010-03-08T14:08:00.000-08:00

The Green Wall was beneficial to our community in many ways.The Green Wall acted as our "coffee table" for a conversation starter. When students come to the studio for the first time, they feel intimidated to meet or talk with others. However, through the green wall, I feel people felt more at ease because they would notice the wall and instantly chat about the beautiful design Suzuyo, the artist, created for the wall. Then they would talk about what was on the wall, creating a sense of family as one person would rub the leaves of the herb, smell their fingers, and without thinking have the stranger next to them smell their fingers to get a second opinion. Through this exchange, they would giggle and then and say together, OREGANO!

I watched this interaction take place many times while working at the front desk. This is also where the idea of a cook book came from. Many people who cut off the herbs, wanted to know how other people use the herbs. Or some of our students, do not cook because they do not know what to cook, but because the wall was there conversations would start between veteran chefs and the newbie, want-to-be chefs on how to make simple, fast, and healthy meals.

Thus, we are now collecting recipes from the students at Bamboomoves for a cookbook; vegan, vegetarian and some meat recipes. It will be a cookbook for all; for families with carnivores, herbivores, or for people who are transitioning from eating meat to a vegetarian diet.

The Green Wall, also created the sense of how people can grow their own herbs in their apartments, through getting a Green Wall or by starting their own plants in their apartments. We have many students who belong to the CSA. The conversations, would start with the Green Wall but would grow into how the CSA operates and how to belong and how important it is to buy organic, local foods to help minimize our carbon food print as well as feeding the body with health foods.

Even at the end of our 3 months with the wall, it started to become more of a brown wall as our studio had dry heat but people would give ideas and suggestions to help it grow, still keeping it a way for the Bamboomoves Family to come together in conversation and sharing knowledge of sustainable development. We will miss the wall and hope through the cookbook, we will keep that idea of sustainable, locally grown food going.

Thank you, Rego Park Alliance for such a wonderful opportunity. We wish you much luck with this endeavor as it benefits the community in so many ways.

In Peace,
Kaity, Kristen, and Suzanne & the Bamboomoves Team

We are on Facebook

2010-02-27T09:38:00.000-08:00

To join our online community, post pictures of events you participated in like the mural painting or green wall series, and to learn more about upcoming events become a fan of ours on Facebook.

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A FAN OF OURS

TD Bank Recognizes Rego Park Green Alliance With Contribution

2010-02-14T07:11:00.000-08:00

Thank You TD for contributing to our Alliance. We are a small community group that works with volunteers in our community. It is always great to be given additional funding for our community related activities. In the past we have worked with P.S. 139, P.S. 174, I.S. 190, Yale University, Columbia University, YMCA, and a variety of other schools, businesses, & non profits. We believe in working across groups to bring meaningful change to our community and we have a proven track record.

TD' s contribution will help fund our Rego Park Summer Festival and Our Green Wall initiative.

Rego Park Green Team

Rego Park Green Alliance Update

2010-02-13T07:11:00.000-08:00

We have some great news. TD Bank will be presenting us with a small check to continue our great efforts in the community. TD Bank will also be hosting a grand opening event in our neighborhood Saturday, February 13. If you are available please stop by for their grand opening at 62nd and Queens Boulevard. There will be games, dance, & food.

Green Wall
We will be looking to start work on our second green wall in the community this month. We have also started building a relationship with the Shield Institute, a non profit that works with developmentally disabled youth/adults. It is our hope to add them to the list of groups that grows herbs/flowers for our wall. As many of you know for our first green wall launch we worked with P.S. 139, P.S. 174, and Yale University to grow edible herbs for the community. If you can help grow marigolds or other flowers please let us know. Remember, at the end of the day our project is judged as being a success not by how many flowers are standing but by how many people were involved in the effort.

P.S. 139 schoolyard design, garden, and mural
Our Co-Founder, Yvonne Shortt, secured a 5,000 grant to continue beautifying and energizing the schoolyard at P.S. 139. It is our hope that they will put a lovely mural and garden at the school entrance to make it look more warm and inviting when the students enter the school, It also out hope to see a lovel stenciled playground. Go P.S. 139!

Real Good Mural Cleanup
In April/May we are also hoping to cleanup the Real Good mural. Our cleanup will include cleaning under the overpass and touching up the mural as well as replanting in the containers.

Green For Queens Earth Day Fair (April 25th, 1-4)
In April we will also be involved with the Green For Queens Earth Day Fair. We will have a table illustrating Sustainable Art and Green Walls. If you would like to help at the event please email us. The event will take place at the Central Queens Y (67-09 108th Street).

Our Saviour Garden Project.
We will keep you updated on when Phase 2 will start.

Thank you all for your help making our organization a success. It is because of all of your volunteer efforts that we are making a difference in our community.

Thanks
Rego Park Green Alliance Team

Edible Queens Green Wall Update

2010-02-12T16:48:00.000-08:00

The Rego Park Green Alliance will be picking up one of our green walls being hosted by BambooMoves. The green wall will be replenished with edible plants over the next three to four weeks and put back into circulation. We will let you know where it will be going in the next three weeks.

We are also happy to announce that we will be consulting with the Field Institute, a group that works with mentally disabled adults and children, on our next green wall installation.

We will also be working with Shana and Eve to put a creative design on our next green wall that we will be putting into circulation.

The Rego Park Green Alliance Team

Edible Queens Green Wall

2010-01-09T12:22:00.000-08:00

With the help of a grant, the green wall pilot program is being extended. We will continue to work with schools, artists, universities, the community, and local businesses to create more green walls.

If you would like to help us continue this program by hosting a wall for a couple of months or making a donation please don't hesitate to contact Yvonne Shortt.

Thank You,
RPGA Team

Yvonne Shortt Discusses Edible Queens Green Walls & Community Involvement at Bamboomoves

2010-01-08T07:27:00.000-08:00

RPGA Volunteers,

The Green Wall Pilot program was a great success. It demonstrated the power of sustainability, art, community involvement, and education. With the help of community volunteers, public and private schools, involved parents, and a community oriented yoga studio we created a wall that grows chives, oregano, and a variety of mint.

Bamboomoves, a local yoga studio hosting our first green wall, has invited me to speak at their celebration tonight Saturday, January 9th. If you are available please stop by. There will be a raffle, dancers, and a sword performance.

They are located in Forest Hills near the E/F train on Queens BLVD
107-40 Queens BLVD suite 206

For more information go here http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AUvGHFSugZY/Szp7IU2mPPI/AAAAAAAAARk/cqJS3h9-fA8/s1600-h/party.jpg

On another note, RPGA received a grant to extend our green wall project and helped secure a grant for P.S. 139 to continue the transformation of their schoolyard..

Schedule Tonight:
6:00 pm - 6:30 pm Camille and Jerry Devore
6:30 pm - 6:40 pm Kaity and Sue Introductions and 1st Raffle
(Kaity to Introduce Yvonne Shortt)
6:40 pm - 7:00 pm Yvonne Shortt- Rego Park Green Alliance
7:03 pm - 7:08 pm - Twilight Dancers
7:10 pm - 7:20 pm - Sherry Zhang - Sword Performance
7:22 pm - 7:32 pm - Francy
7:32 pm - 7:37 pm -Twilight Dancers
7:37 pm - 7:45 pm - Grand Prize Raffle, and final closing comments
7:45 pm - 9ish pm - Band, Camille & Jerry Devore

Thank You.
Yvonne Shortt
Rego Park Green Alliance Co-Founder

Queens Economic Development Leaderhip Council

2010-01-06T09:47:00.000-08:00

The Rego Park Green Alliance is now on the Queens Economic Development Leadership Council. Our first meeting is January 14th

Donations

2010-01-02T11:20:00.001-08:00

Donations:
Please make checks payable to Open Space Institute. In the memo section please put care of Rego Park Green Alliance. Checks may be mailed to:

Open Space Institute
c/o Rego Park Green Alliance
1350 Broadway • Room 201
New York, New York 10018

Rego Park Green Alliance is fiscally sponsored by the Open Space Institute, Inc., as part of their Citizen Action Program. OSI is a nonprofit public charity exempt from federal income tax under Sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions should be made payable to “Open Space Institute, Inc. / [Rego Pak Green Alliance]” and are tax deductable to the extent permitted by law.

Open Space Institute

2010-01-02T10:52:00.000-08:00

RPGA has found a fiscal sponsor- Open Space Institute (Citizen Action Program) . A fiscal sponsor acts to provide oversight and the ability to act as a non profit or 501(c)3. They will accept all payments and donations and provide the necessary filing to outside organizations. This oversight will allow us to obtain more donations and grants. Thank you Open Space Institute and everyone who helped fill out the paperwork to make this happen. We look forward to continuing our beautification, edible lawn, green wall, and educational programs in 2010.

Happy New Year
Rego Park Green Alliance Team

Rego Park , Queens Edible Green Wall Is Ready

2009-12-15T08:14:00.001-08:00

After three months our green wall is almost ready to be hosted by BamboMoves . Thank you P.S. 139, P.S. 174, the Rego Park Community, and Yale University for hosting and growing plants. Thank you Suzuyo for creating such a lovely insect habitat design on the wood frame. And, thank you Yvonne for managing the green wall program from beginning to end. It is the Rego Park Green Alliance's goal to have other companies host green walls all around Queens. Remember the apple's and cows that were hosted in Manhattan?. Why not have Queens have the green wall series. The green walls are edible, environmentally sustainable, artistic, and involve the entire community.

For more information or to learn more about hosting a wall, growing the plants in your school or community, or designing a frame please contact Yvonne Shortt at 917 597 3089.

Rego Park Green Alliance PSA Commercial Available Online

2009-12-08T22:30:00.001-08:00

In July Rebecca, Clara, and Yvonne, from the Rego Park Green Alliance, were selected to be in a public service announcement on volunteering. To shoot the commercial, Yvonne worked with Shana, Eve, NYC Service, and P.S. 139.

Over 40 residents of the community showed up to help paint the 2500 square foot mural.

Thank you to all who put in their time to help make Rego Park beautiful!

To view the commercial click here

RPGA Will Be Working With Lawyers Alliance

2009-11-18T15:29:00.000-08:00

Thank you Avie for finding us two great lawyers to help us file for our 501c3 status. We are incredibly lucky to have you guys agree to take on our organization and find us help navigating the murky waters of filing for 501c3 status.

Thank you also to those who have agreed to be on our advisory board for a fiscal sponsor until we have our own non profit status.

Advisery Board
Rachel Beadle
Elby Schneidman
Elsie Chapman
Richard West

P.S. 174 Plant Pickup

2009-11-18T15:21:00.000-08:00

P.S. 174 did a great job nurturing the plants for our first green wall. The student council did a great job educating the kids about the project and the importance of green walls in the community. The kids were also able to put one of the plants they nurtured in a green wall panel.

Thank you P.S. 174 for all of your help with the green wall project!

63rd Drive Cleanup Finished

2009-11-18T10:29:00.000-08:00

Because of the rain, we were unable to start the first phase of our educational park design. However, we did use that time to cleanup all of the garbage and trash that was sitting under the LIRR. Although we are not responsible for the cleanup under the railroad I have learned an incredibly important lesson. If the garbage bothers you don't wait for others to do it, do it yourself.

It's our community and we must be responsible when others aren't.

Thank you everyone for coming and helping to make a difference. What a fabulous event!

Thank you R&M Supermarket for dumping the trash bags for us :)

Rego Park Green Alliance Documentary

2009-10-25T07:52:00.000-07:00

The Rego Park Green Alliance will be documenting all of the work the community is doing on the green wall. We will also use this as a time to showcase some of our past achievements. Here is a preview Click Here

RPGA Developes Pocket Part At Our Saviour

2009-10-23T06:23:00.000-07:00

The Rego Park Green Alliance is working with Our Savior to create a lovely park on the side of their property for use by the community.

How did the idea come about?
While sitting at a jazz concert on Our Saviour's property several months ago, I saw a 400 square foot space sandwiched between Our Saviour Church and another building. In an area with no green space anything green is an opportunity. I spoke with Pastor Neil and asked if the Rego Park Green Alliance could create a park that could be used by the community. Pastor Neil and the congregation agreed.

What is the design?
If you look at the design, you'll see that with Colta Ives help we have created a quiet space for people to go to read and talk. Right outside of the garden is Honey Suckle that will evetually climb the fence. When you enter on the left will be some trumpet vines. On the right will be two raised beds, Further back, a clumping birch tree. At the rear, three kinds of evergreens. For ground cover, bark mulch. However, in some areas will have have a little rock to give the park some texture.

How can you help?
On November 14th we will start the transformation so if your available come down and help.

Host A Green Wall Series

2009-09-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

The Rego Park Green Alliance will be hosting four green walls in various commercial/school locations over the next couple of months. The walls are 2’ X 4’ and will contain mints,basil, choi, oregano, lettuce, and several other herbs and vegetables. We will also be hosting a residential wall for homes.

Our first wall will be hosted by Bamboo Moves ( http://www.bamboomovesnyc.com/index.php/forest-hills) . A fabulous yoga studio with great people and a lovely ambiance. They serve Rego Park, Kew Gardens, and Forest Hills.

Goal
Teach people why green walls are great for the environment and our health. Inspire youth to be catalysts of change
Get the community involved

Needs
Plant Love
We need people to host a plant( Rego Park Green Alliance will provide the plant) for three weeks providing it with love, care, and water. After you return the plant we will put it in a panel that will be mounted on a green wall and delivered to Bamboo Moves for three months.

Artist(s)
We also need an artist to paint/design the green wall which is currently a cedar wood. Perhaps it could be painted green with lovely leaves. Just an idea. Please see wall image4 included below.

Committee
People to communicate via email and perhaps a meeting or two to discuss other potential host sites for a green wall.

Residential hosts
We also have a 1X1 green wall unit that we would like to host in homes for one month. The host site will have to have some light. Each green wall will also include a journal in which we hope you will enter 1 or two recipes in which you use herbs from the green wall. The unit only needs two screws to be mounted to a wall. I have included a picture of one unit hosted in my home – image 2. We have used the herbs from our wall to create tea and a lovely pasta sauce.

This is an incredible project and we hope you will join us on this incredible adventure.

For additional questions please contact Yvonne at 917 597 3089.

Real Good Jazz At Dusk In Rego Park

2009-09-20T22:29:00.000-07:00

What an amazing concert we had on Saturday, September 19. The concert started at 6:00 and went until 7:30. Just long enough for the sun to set. This was the first concert in Rego Park in a long time and it was a joint venture between Our Saviour and the Rego Park Green Alliance. The organizer, Adam, did a fantastic job bringing it all together. Thank you to all who opened their minds and made this happen!

Edible Green Walls In Rego Park

2009-09-15T21:09:00.000-07:00

Green Walls are a great way to turn a community with no parks or public gardens into an oasis of flowers and vegetables. Green walls can be mounted to a wall or free standing. They are great for insulation, cooling retention, decreasing Co2, ecological encouragement, and more. The Rego Park Green Alliance is in the process of installing green walls on several sites in Rego Park. Imagine Rego Park with lush walls filled with strawberries, lettuce, and flowers.

If you wish to learn more about this project email us. We not only want to make an environmental contribiion to Rego Park but we wish to increase community involvement and train people in green jobs.

Rebecca (age 11)
Rego Park Green Alliance Youth Service

Rego Park Green Alliance Invited To Yale University

2009-09-09T09:57:00.000-07:00

Several members of the RPGA were invited to The Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. What an incredible opportunity to learn about geothermal energy, solar technology, and more.

The shades in the picture are useful and beautiful. They keep the sun out allowing the building to stay cooler on sunny days.

Rego Park Green Alliance Wins Love Your NYC Block Contest

2009-08-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

Last week the Rego Park Green Alliance learned they were the winners of the Dress Up Your NYC Block Contest. "All of our hard work paid off," said Shortt. Mrs. Shortt is referring to a 2500 foot mural they painted on a wall owned by the LIRR. In the future the group will be using part of the money for a Jazz Concert they are working on, green roof education, and if they can manage it a green wall under the LIRR underpass.

Mailbox Setup For Rego Park Green Alliance Jazz Concert

2009-08-15T20:59:00.001-07:00

Co-Founder Richard West and his two kids placed a mailbox filled with Rego Park jazz concert flyers on the corner fence of the Lutheran Church. The goal, let people know about the jazz concert. It's RPGA's goal to get as many people together as possible to celebrate Rego Park and what makes it special.

Real Good Jazz In Rego Park

2009-08-14T13:32:00.000-07:00

Presenting

Markus Schwartz & the Lakou Brooklyn Quartet

Where

On the Lawn at

Our Saviour Lutheran Church

63^rd Drive & Wetherole

When

Saturday, September 12^th

(Rain Date: September 19^th)

Time

6:00-7:30 p.m.

What To Do

Relax On The Grass

Enjoy The Music & Meet Your Neighbors

Bring A Blanket & Picnic Basket

(No Alcohol)

R.S.V.P to yvonne@kidstechlabs.com

Adam Hinz l Rego Park Green Alliance lOur Saviour Lutheran Church

P.S. 139 Space Mural

2009-08-13T09:27:00.001-07:00

The mural at P.S. 139 was painted yesterday, August 12. It looks fabulous. Everyone came out in full force, including the filming crew. Rego Park Green Alliance members should be very happy with how the mural looks. Many stayed and painted while the rain came pouring down.Today many kids were back in the park playing handball or basketball on the back courts. It was great to see the kids playing with the lovely bright mural in the background.

Rego Park has one dedicated group of volunteers, that's for sure!

Space Mural Update

2009-08-11T15:10:00.001-07:00

Some members of RPGA went over to look at the space garden mural as it was being primed by Shana and friends. It looks great- what a rich color. The artists decided to do the priming themselves so they could sketch, we have aggressive time constraints. Tomorrow fellow RPGA members will help prime and paint several additional sections of the wall.

Rego Park Green Alliance Members At The New Haven Library

2009-08-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

Did you know RPGA wrote a book called A New York City Public School Goes Green? Several members who also illustrated the book were invited to give five copies to the New Haven Library. The book will be available in the main library and in several branches around New Haven. This is a picture of several members and the head of childrens' services at the main branch in New Haven.

Click Here To View Book Online In New Haven

Space Garden At P.S. 139

2009-08-09T20:37:00.000-07:00

NYC Service selected the Rego Park Green Alliance to be a spokes group for volunteering in their community. What does this mean fo Rego Park? It means we are getting another mural compliments of NYC.

Eve Biddle and Shana Siegel are designing our mural and I must say I think it looks fantastic. Of course those who know me know I teach robotics and hydroponics so any mural that fuses the two has my undying support.

What Would You Like To Do Next In Rego Park?

2009-07-26T11:59:00.002-07:00

Dear Rego Park Green Alliance Members,

We would like to determine the next community project for our membership. In order to do this we need your input. Past projects have included tree and daffodil planting, mural on 63rd Drive, hydroponics workshops, and book publication. Future projects should promote sustainability, education, beautification, and community involvement. Projects may be small or large. Please email me your thoughts and I will look to setup a meeting for us in the next couple of weeks at the library.

If you know of others who might be interested in being active in the community, please forward this email or send them to www.regoparkgreenalliance.org . We have made great strides working together in our community and I know that we can do even more.

We have also raised an additional 100 dollars in proceeds from the publishing of A New York City Public School Goes Green. The book can be purchased at Amazon

Thank You
Yvonne Shortt
Rego Park Green Alliance
917 597 3089

Volunteer Casting Call

2009-07-24T21:19:00.000-07:00

As it turns out, the Mayor's Office is casting a commercial on volunteering in one's community. Several Rego Park Green Alliance members trucked down to the casting agency to see if they might have a chance of being in the commercial. The best part, if they are chosen the casting agency might pay us a little to help with whatever project they shoot for the commercial. We'll keep our fingers crossed.

Cracked Pavement Fixed

2009-07-22T12:26:00.001-07:00

Thanks in part to Tony's Pizza for helping get the sidewalk under the mural paved. Thank you for taking the plants and replanting them in lovely pots. Also, we love the new plants and the trellis. Together we are making a difference, person by person, company by company, day by day.

Mural Fixed

2009-07-20T16:53:00.000-07:00

Last week someone put a little graffiti on the wall. Thank you Peter Beadle for cleaning and repainting the wall. It looks great. I think that, as a community, we are coming together in ways that some of us never thought possible.

Rego Park Green Alliance Honored By Citizens Committee

2009-07-02T22:05:00.000-07:00

In early June Richard and Yvonne, co-founders of the Rego Park Green Alliance, were honored for their group's service to the community. The event was held at the Municipal Society in the Helmsley Hotel, where wine and cheese were served and the guests had a chance to schmooze and learn about other like -minded groups.

P.S. 139 Tree Update

2009-06-15T14:55:00.000-07:00

In October the P.S. 139 school community came together to plant 5 trees in the schoolyard. The trees are doing well however, they need a little soil to cover one exposed root. This week the Rego Park Green Alliance went to Home Depot and purchased soil and mulch. We will work with the school community to mulch and weed over the next two weeks.

Rego Park Hand Print Mural Designed By Yvonne Shortt & Richard West

2009-06-08T20:56:00.000-07:00

What is the significance of the hand print mural & who designed it? Yvonne Shortt and Richard West of Rego Park decided to create a design that incorporated something of each participant into the wall. What better than the hand indelibly imprinted. Parents and kids joining together to press their hand on a wall, marking a certain period of celebration in their life. Yvonne & Richard also decided to plant succulents which are known to be drought tolerant in a recycled container on the design site.

Rego Park 'Real Good' Mural

2009-06-08T20:47:00.000-07:00

The day arrived and it was perfect. Everyone showed up ready to work and have fun. It was amazing. Many say they want change but few are willing to take the time to make it happen. Thank you to all who did!

Click here to see some great pictures

Rego Park Green Alliance Volunteer Puts Up Signs

2009-06-05T07:39:00.000-07:00

With any great event, it relies on the people who volunteer their time. Yesterday a Rego Park Green Alliance volunteer went around the community putting up signs to let the community know there would be no parking on Saturday June 6th under the overpass. We are very exited and wishing that after three days the rain will indeed stop and give us great weather tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed.

South Wall Priming By Alliance Members

2009-06-03T22:48:00.000-07:00

One is never too young to get involved in their community. Clara age 6 and Rebecca age 11, came out early Sunday morning to support their community by prepping the wall for next Saturday's hand painting by the Rego Park Community. Rebecca & Clara worked with their parents who are also members of the Rego Park Green Alliance. The best way to get your kids involved in the community is to lead by example.

Eve Biddle & Joshua Frankel Design 'Real Good' Mural

2009-06-03T22:35:00.000-07:00

I thought I would use this forum to explain why Eve & Joshua incorporated Real Good into the mural. For information about the hand print mural please see the hand print blog entry.

"REAL GOOD"
Rego Park derives its name from the Real Good Construction Company which began operating in the neighborhood in the 1920's. This mural,
REAL GOOD, reanimates the optimism encoded in the name Rego to illuminate the 63rd Drive underpass. REAL and GOOD are the
neighborhood's genetic makeup and the expressed attributes of its present. Rego Park's ancestral association with construction suggests potential for future creation. The metamorphosis of the wall from dusty gray to vivid color reminds passers-by of possibility. We can control the image of the place in which we dwell through positive action.

Two New Garbage Cans for Alderton and 63rd

2009-06-02T05:42:00.000-07:00

The Rego Park Green Alliance was able to get two new garbage cans on the corner of 63rd and Alderton. For years we had nasty old garbage cans with trash hanging everywhere. However, last week the Department of Sanitation and The office of Melinda Katz pulled through with two brand new garbage cans. Now, we have to let people know that there are several other garbage cans on 63rd so if their garbage doesn't fit throw it in another garbage can and not on the floor.

Real Good Spirit

2009-06-02T05:24:00.000-07:00

Elby, a Rego Park Board member, went around to several stores on her way home from the dentist and asked them if they would show their REAL GOOD spirit and put signs up around the neighborhood. Talking about fitting a little time in to do some great community work.

Later that day, Rebecca and Clara, went around the neighborhood and took pictures in front of every store that had the sign taped up in their window. Some stores had the sign inside so we didnt get to take a picture with them.

Below is a list of several stores that took the flyer.
Card News Store (next to Natural ID)
Columbia Chicken
Dalk Cleaners
Dr. Gangian
Dr. Kalman ( His manager blew me away--she placed it in a really nice frame and placed it on their entrance table.)
Duane Read
HSBC
Lady Care Beauty Salon
McDonalds
Met Supermarket
Moskov
New Lux Nails
Park Cleaners
Rego Park Café
Rego Park Dental Clinic
Treasure Hunt
Valley National Bank

63rd Drive Businesses Support The Mural Project

2009-06-01T14:52:00.000-07:00

Today Jay, a member of the Rego Park Green Alliance, went around to many businesses on 63rd Drive and the surrounding area to ask for their support with the mural project.

As you walk along 63rd this week, look around and see which vendors supported the project by placing s flyer in ther window. And, don't forget to give them your business.

Tony's Pizza Place is one of many stores along 63rd that agreed to post the sign in their window.

Below is a list of stores that agreed to place a flyer in the window.
Rego Park Cafe
KeyFood
F.C. Discount Liquors & Wines NY Inc.
K.S. Pharmacy
OlgaR
Cheburechnaya
Focus Academy
Shalimar Diner
Gotham Home Decor
ENail
Larisa's Bagels
Davidoff Optical Center
Red Apple Development center
Zuni Trading
Tony's Pizza
Columbia Chicken Restaurant

Thank You

R&M (Store on West Side of 63rd, Next to the LIRR Underpass) Helps The Community

2009-06-01T06:29:00.001-07:00

Mike, the owner of R&M, fixed his sidewalk in front of his store on Sunday, May 31st. R&M also worked with Royalty Waste Management to have their garbage picked up everyday instead of every three days.

What does this mean to our community? It means that now when kids walk to school they will hopefully no longer have to step over lettuce and other vegetables.

Thank You Mike!

(Mike poses with Elby, Rego Park Green Alliance Board Member)

The Rego Park Green Alliance Writes A Book

2009-05-27T08:29:00.000-07:00

A NYC Public School Goes Green

Robin is a student at PS139Q and wants to make a difference in her community. This is the story of how she finds her way.

A New York City Public School Goes Green is a fictionalized account of the accomplishments of the PS139Q Rego Park Green Committee. It was written to inspire schools and neighborhoods to form their own green committees to promote sustainability and beautification in Queens, New York City, and the world.

Purchase Book

Recycle And Reuse

2009-05-27T07:55:00.000-07:00

Looking for a fun activity to do this summer?

Recycle a 30 gallon drum and turn it into a planter. First, we went to Home Depot and purchased primer for plastic and fun colored paints. Next, we primed the container and waited two weeks. Then we had some finger fun. Stay tuned for some great pictures of vegetables we plant this summer.

Rego Park Green Alliance Teaches Hydroponic Planting

2009-04-05T15:45:00.000-07:00

Today was fabulous. The weather was great and everyone was ready to have fun, learn, and do something really cool; learn how to grow vegetables hydroponically.

Thanks to Rebecca West for her efforts on her science project (Growing Beans using Hydroponics) we were able to get a grant from United Healthcare to do workshops for the school.

It was fun to see all the kids working together and then eating some of the lettuce that Rebecca and her team grew in the school's greenhouse

Rego Park Green Alliance Receives Another Grant Based On One of P.S. 139’s Very Own Science Projects By Rebecca West

2009-03-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

Goal: Demonstrate through hands on education how soil-less (hydroponics) growth of herbs and vegetables is possible & can lead to a healthy lifestyle

Plan: Students will learn how to grow herbs and vegetables such as lettuce and Pak Choi without using soil; this same method is used by NASA on space shuttles and in Antarctica by research teams.

Date: April 2; Thursday

Time: 2:45

Length: 35 minutes

Place: School Yard

What We Will Do:
• Learn how to grow plants using only water, nutrients, hydroton, and seeds
• Understand how acidity and alkalinity affect plants
• Learn how to track your plants growth at www.regoparkgreencommittee.org
• Meet back in the schoolyard on April 23rd to see how your plant has progressed. Take one home, depending on availability

Please email Yvonne@kidstechlabs.com to register for this event.

NY1 Highlights Rego Park Green Alliance Work

2009-03-20T20:46:00.001-07:00

The Rego Park Green Alliance worked with TreesNY and P.S. 139 to get trees planted in the schoolyard and get the kids educated about tree maintenance. Their work was featured on NY1. Congratulations to all the kids in robotics class who worked to make this possible.

Go Green Alliance!

Rego Park Green Alliance Wins Dress Up Your School Award For P.S.139

2009-03-20T19:42:00.000-07:00

The Rego Park Green Alliance won the dress up your school award. This award was for 1500.00 dollars. A portion of the money was spent on growing lettuce, carrots, basil, oregano, peppermint, and lettuce in the school's greenhouse.

Two months later, the plants were given to 12 classes so the kids could watch them grow. My youngest daughter took home some basil, how cute.

The grant will also be used to write and illustrate a 32 page book about the work that the Green Alliance has done in P.S. 139. The book will look to demonstrate how any school short on money but big on volunteer commitment can make a difference in their community. The Green Committee will send the book to other elementary schools in Queens, our city council officials, and other legislative officials to help promote the Green Alliance's projects in the future.

Another portion of the money will be used to plant additional bulbs in the school yard and around the school itself.

Rego Park Green Alliance Gives Info On How To Get Trees For Your Community In NYC

2008-12-31T11:03:00.000-08:00

Several months ago, the Green Alliance went through a long process to get trees in their community. Here is some information that will be helpful to anyone trying to do the same.

TreesNY, Sam Bishop
A nonprofit that works in NYC to help people obtain trees. This group was the one who finally provided us with 5 trees 11/2 in diameter and about 8 feet tall. They delivered the trees, dug the holes, provided education to the students and stayed with us through the entire process.
Samuel A. Bishop II
Education Director
Trees New York
51 Chambers Street Suite 1412
New York, NY 10007
Phone: (212) 227-1887
Fax: (212) 732-5325
Citizens Committee provides grant money ranging from 500 to 3000 that can be used to get trees.
Arif Ullah
Director of Neighborhood Resources
Citizens Committee for New York City
305 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10001-6008
212.822.9580 (direct)
212.989.0909 (switchboard)
www.citizensnyc.org
Parks Coordinator For your area. If you live in Rego Park here is the info
Hassan L. King
Northern Queens Outreach Coordinator
Partnerships for Parks
The Overlook, Queens Borough Office
80-30 Park Lane
Kew Gardens, N.Y. 11415
Office: 718-520-5948
fax: 718-520-5926
311
You can calll this number to get some information and the agency you can write to request a tree in your neighborhood.

Rego Park Green Alliance Gets Tree Education & Trees For P.S. 139

2008-12-12T06:20:00.000-08:00

It took over three months but we did it! TreesNY donated 5 trees, two arborists, and an educational coordinator to help P.S. 139 plant trees, educate over 120 kids about trees and tree maintenance and help us have pride in our school. The educational coordinator went into over 5 classes ranging from grades 1-5, talked about trees for 20 minutes, and took the kids outside and helped them plant trees. Arborists were on hand to answer questions and help install the trees. NY1 interviewed people from our school. P.S. 139 was on NY1 and had the opportunity to tell their story to all of NYC.

Rego Park Green Alliance Gives Away Daffodils

2008-11-23T10:00:00.000-08:00

This week the Rego Park Green Alliance gave away free bulbs to parents of P..S. 139 and the Regp Park Community. We gave away over 600 bulbs to over 60 families. There was so much demand that we did not have enough for our community. We were so excited by the turnout and the fact that not only are people going to plant daffodils in their yards but that some have agreed to plant them in front of their buildings. Plus, the Big Apple School is going to create a science project to teach kids about daffodils and growing them in their community.

R. W. Makes Signs For Daffodils in Rego Park

2008-11-12T16:50:00.000-08:00

The Green Alliance spent many hours digging and planting in several places in Rego Park. The problem is that people don't necessarily know that the planting occurred so trash and garbage are being left in the area. Ema and Rebecca spent several hours creating signs to let people know that the planting occurred. We now have six signs. each costing less than 4 dollars. This weekend we will plant the signs along Alderton, 63rd Drive, P.S. 139 playground and Austin Street. For those who need cheap signs go to Home Depot and buy 6 foot molding ($2.00) . Cut it in half. Use printing paper to make the picture and construction paper for the border. Then go to staples and get it laminated for two dollars. Use a stapler gun to attach the laminated picture and scissors to cut some of the extra lamination from the bottom. If your feeling really creative, decorate the molding used for the sign.

Rego Park Green Alliance Gets 1500 Daffodil Bulbs Planted in Community

2008-11-05T15:13:00.000-08:00

Today several members of the community and school volunteered to work with the Green Alliance to plant daffodils in the school yard and the local community. The kids and adults came out at 9 and worked until 1:00. They planted on Austin Street, 63rd Drive, the schoolyard and Alderton Street. They dug 9 inch holes and placed the bulbs 3 to 6 inches apart. As they went out into the community they were surprised to see people pick up shovels and help them plant, proving together we can make a difference. We had a great time and look forward to seeing the daffodils bloom in the summer.

Also, we will be putting up signs around the neighborhood asking people not to step on the planted daffodils and alerting them to the fact that the Green Committee planted the flowers. If anyone is available to help make the posters please email me.