Shhhh! Months of planning finally paid off on April 1 when volunteers canvassed over 50 high traffic subway stations throughout the borough during the morning rush to remind Manhattanites to return their census questionnaires. The effort was coordinated by the Complete Count Committee spearheaded by the office of Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer in hopes of increasing the borough’s return rate from 66 percent in 2000.

Shhhh! Months of planning finally paid off on April 1 when volunteers canvassed over 50 high traffic subway stations throughout the borough during the morning rush to remind Manhattanites to return their census questionnaires. The effort was coordinated by the Complete Count Committee spearheaded by the office of Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer in hopes of increasing the borough’s return rate from 66 percent in 2000.

You may have seen the volunteers, paired with elected officials, at subway stations on Census Day (which some fool has the audacity to schedule on April Fool’s Day.)

The Manhattan Times played a role both in the planning and execution, serving on the media committee that crafted the multi-lingual message that graced the thousands of palm cards distributed that day and passing them out at three 1-train stations. It’s important to get as accurate a count of Manhattanites as possible because so much federal funding – for schools, transportation and other civic services – are tied to the size of the population.

It’s always eye-opening to get out and meet community members in the street, particularly when you can greet them with a line as unexpected as “Happy Census Day! Everybody counts!” It was heartening to hear from so many folks who said they had already returned their questionnaires. But one woman stands out who clearly decided at some point that she’d rather be a part of the problem than the solution. Her shouts of “Count me out! Count me out!” disappeared with her into the elevator at the 191st Street Station.

Shhhh! April’s First Thursday Stroll was the most ambitious one yet, cataloguing seven stops in Hudson Heights and attracting about 50 strollers. What began in the intimate settings of the living rooms of local artists Risa Ehrlich and Susan Bresler wound through W. 187th Street’s mini business district and ended up in the outdoor patio at Monkey Room. All of the businesses gave a little something to the crowd: a little taste of vino at Vines and Pine and a snack at Frank’s Market; goodie bags at Riverside Animal Clinic; and a little finger food and mango lassi at Kismat Indian Restaurant.

The highlight for me? Meeting a new-stroller who said he’s lived around Riverside Drive and W. 155th Street for most of his life but had never visited the neighborhood just 30 blocks north of his apartment. That’s the whole point of the Strolls: introducing folks to the neighbors, businesses and artists that are in their midst.

Look for the next First Thursday Stroll on May 6, as soon as the Manhattan Times and Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance get done planning it.

Shhhh! Speaking of collaborations between the Manhattan Times and NoMAA, the annual Better Newspaper Contest held by the New York Press Association last month awarded second place for Best Special Section to the 2009 Uptown Arts Stroll Guide. The judges praised its “Great concept; bi-lingual content; great local photos. Content spread very artsy; interesting, consistent quality throughout – Layout, choices for heading art, a very good piece.”

The MT and NoMAA worked with local design team Smashmanor to create the guide to last June’s month-long arts festival.

Shhhh! Congrats to the George Washington High School Trojans baseball team, which won seven games straight to take top honors at the GW Holiday Tournament. The team has had a lot of attention lately, with stories in both the Daily News and the New York Post. According to the Post the Trojans rallied over the formidable John F. Kennedy High School in the Bronx to win 7-4. Gregorio Luperon High School, located on W. 165^th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, took third in the tournament.

Shhhh! For the second month in a row, an anonymous Good Samaritan helped this daddy out when he was particularly weather challenged. In February it was someone who found a lost baby shoe in a snowstorm. On March 30, it was the stranger who walked over with an umbrella as I wrestled a baby from stroller to car seat during a morning deluge on Bennett Avenue. Many thanks, whoever you are.