Westchester Square / Zerega Improvement Org

As you have read last week, the lawsuit Westchester Square v DHS is moving ahead. I was really pleasantly surprised that Justice DeGrasse allowed us to proceed with discovery. All this means is that we have won the right to be heard and proceed in collecting and giving testimony. We have NOT won the case, as some people think, only the right to engage the adversary in court.

Recent happenings: We noticed last weekend that for the first time in many years the Westchester Square library display window was tagged. We went right back there at night and removed the graffiti, and I am happy to say that the library was also aware of it and had put in for it to be removed as well. This kind of behavior will not be tolerated, and we wanted to send a personal message to that effect by removing the graffiti right away.

Also, we had our holiday crafts workshop at the library this past Saturday. 55 kids attended, and we all had a fun time. Afterwards, we went over to the homeless shelter on St Peter’s Avenue to help out with Councilman Vacca’s Christmas party for the kids who live there. It was very nice, with Santa and his helpers, and we did crafts and facepainting. I must say here, that the kids were really great. They were patient and very sweet, and very friendly. After I painted a rainbow and a smiling cloud on her hands, one little girl of 4 took the rainbow paint cake and a sponge and painted my hands and even made a smiley cloud too. She really got into the paints and enjoyed watching us as we painted everyone’s face. She was so cute. The way their face lights up when they see how they look in the mirror is why we enjoy doing the kids’ activities. Their smiles are priceless.

These were our last events for 2011; all together we organized or participated in 17 events last year. Thank you to the loyal and intrepid WSZIO volunteers Woody, Tony, Stephanny, Ellen, Diana, Paul, Desiree, Katherine, Dorothy, Ricky, and Robbie who made our events so successful this year, and to our supporters and friends. We had a great year, and look forward to a better year coming up!

The winter holidays are my favorite time of year. I enjoy the glittery displays (you all know how much I LOVE glitter; Stephanny says I’m a magpie) and the beautiful lights, and the baking, and decorating, and the entertaining and spending time at home with family. It’s a gentle way to ease into the bleak, gray, cold days of the upcoming winter.

This year has been a very difficult one for a lot of people: so many are jobless or homeless. Money’s tight for most of us (we in the 99%, that is). No matter what your beliefs may be, I think we all can appreciate a time of kindness, cheer, warmth and compassion.

To all our friends and neighbors, we wish you a happy, warm, and loving Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and a healthy and prosperous New Year. May this be a year of peace and joy, and “God bless us, everyone.”

More rants to come in 2012, but for now: TTFN.