Oyster Bay isn't waiting for things to happen to revitalize the community. Local groups are up and running. It's terrific to see the enthusiasm and commitment of local groups to polishing the Pearl By the Bay.

Oyster Bay Civic Association board member Rob Brusca arranged for the county, the town and the state to clean up their share of the Pine Hollow corridor. He said at the Wednesday, April 16 board meeting that they each responded to his phone calls and came and did the job of cleaning up the road. The Route 106 entrance to town was mentioned at the Dan Burden of Walkable Communities focus meeting on March 15 at the Canavan Center, as needing attention.

On Friday, April 25, the Jewel By the Bay committee is planting a tree by the Oyster Bay Community Center honoring Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto and the town board for creating a new tree ordinance. This is part of their ongoing effort to preserve the historical character of the hamlet.

The Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce announced that at their Health fair on Saturday, May 17, they are going to give out pedometers. The small machines were suggested by Dan Burden of Walkable Communities as a way to encourage people to park and walk to stores.

Look - it's a realistic way to solve the parking problem. Really. If people decide to walk for their health, the center of town might be filled with empty parking spaces. It could happen!

There will be a tag sale on April 26 for the upcoming Relay For Life at the Woodstock Design Center parking lot on Lexington Avenue and South Street. That day is also the Earth Day Cleanup for Beekman Beach by Friends of the Bay (9 a.m. and bring gloves) and the Downtown Clean (8 a.m. at Appliance World) by the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce, OB Civic Association and the Main Street Association.

Monday, April 28, is the Spring Splendor Fundraiser for the beautification of downtown, at $100/person at Wild Honey Restaurant, at 7 p.m. RSVP to the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce (922-6464) or Main Street Association (922-6982). At the chamber's April 17 meeting Michele Browner announced that they are adding 50 more snowflakes to their holiday splendor event this winter.

Wednesday, April 30, the Oyster Bay Fire Department holds free blood pressure checks from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Dunkin Donuts-Baskin-Robbin's store located at 159 Pine Hollow Road. The night features 31 cents ice cream scoops by Baskin-Robinn's. They will in turn donate $100,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

And talking about giving back, the Oyster Bay Civic Association has found a new group to send used cell phones to. President Bill Von Novak is going to deliver the donated phones they have been collecting to the Red Cross for the Louisiana disaster work. The Mill Neck Rod and Gun Club recently made a donation to the Celia Flower Pantry.

Thursday, May 1, is Holocaust Remembrance Day and Holocaust Survivor Werner Reich will be the speaker at the Oyster Bay Jewish Center, at 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, May 10, the hamlet will be buzzing as the Railroad Museum holds their first "Smoke and Steam" BBQ Competition/Fundraiser on Audrey Avenue from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will also be an Appraisal Day at Doubleday Babcock Senior Center from 1 to 4 p.m.; and a Thrift Fair at the First Presbyterian Church, across the street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Then look forward to Friday, May 16, when the Oyster Bay and East Norwich Civic Association hold a joint Cocktail Gathering/Fundraiser for $50/person at the Sagamore Yacht Club from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.

The next day, Saturday, May 17 will be the Oyster Bay Health Fair, done in cooperation with NYS Senator Carl Marcellino and the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce on Audrey Avenue, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wow! There's lots to do and the thrust of the events are to benefit the community one way or another. What a great community! - DFK