National Night Out Against Crime

America’s Night Out Against Crime
Tuesday, August 5, 2008

On Tuesday, August 5, 2008 neighborhoods throughout Marion County will participate in the Twenty-Fifth Annual National Night Out: America's Night Out Against Crime.

National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for and participation in local anti-crime efforts; strengthen neighborhood spirit; help form good relationships between the community and the police; and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Neighbors can participate by hosting a block party, or cookout, or pitch-in, or ice cream social, or flashlight walk, or neighborhood parade, or pizza party, or youth activities (games, chalk art, jump rope, hula hoop contest, watermelon seed-spitting contest, karaoke, volleyball, badminton or croquet) - simply anything that brings you and your neighbors together outside.

Don't miss this great opportunity to show your support for law enforcement and crime free neighborhoods; strengthen police - community partnerships; and celebrate neighborhood unity.

If you have any questions, please call Ann Westropp, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Southeast District Crime Watch Specialist, at 327-6365.

***

Help Plan the Neighborhood Gathering

Planning Meeting
Neighborhood Gathering

The Southeast Community Building Committee (SCBC) will be meeting next week on Thursday July 24th 5:30 pm at Southeast Community Services. The purpose of this meeting is to plan for the Southeast Neighborhood Gathering scheduled for September 25th. Anyone interested in helping plan this popular event is encouraged to attend! Email Jennifer Rice at jennifer@sendcdc.org with questions.

Cultural Trail Update

Cultural Trail Construction is Arriving Sooner

Construction on the Virginia Avenue leg of the Cultural Trail has been moved up, hopefully to begin by late spring 2009, less than one year from now! Please join the Trail organizers as they share a first ever look at the current design plans for the SE leg. You will be able to see how the trail is going to look as it heads down Virginia Ave through Fletcher Place and arriving in Fountain Square.

July Cultural Trail Committee meeting, Wednesday, July 16, 6:00 p.m., at the pavilion in Lacy Park (East and McCarty Streets). This is open to all and is a regularly scheduled meeting that will continue monthly at this same time. (Rain location: Bill Lovejoy's house, 829 Greer Street.)

August SEND Public Space Meeting, Tuesday, August 5th, 12:00 pm, at SEND headquarters (1030 Orange Street). Please RSVP if you are attending the SEND meeting, so we can be sure we have enough space and enough pizza. RSVP to Erin Brown, 317-634-5079 x101
***

Save this date - Neighborhood Gathering

Neighborhood Gathering
September 25, 2008
Southeast Community Services, 2nd floor
901 So. Shelby
6 PM

Salvage theft

Salvage theft
such as catalytic converters, air conditioning units are off the charts

Det. Jason Prendergast from SE District, his email address is 20106@indygov.org has been the main police officer in the city leading the charge against this problem. I just talked to him on the phone about what could neighborhood people do to help in this fight. And one of the big problems he is running into is that even when the police are able to catch these thieves, the victims choose not to prosecute because they have already been compensated through their insurer. The problem with this is it lets the thieves go to steal again instead of being locked up. It is critical for victims to be willing to prosecute these crimes so that we can get the perpetrators off the street.

Please tell everyone through your neighborhood organizations, how critical it is to follow through even though you may already have gotten paid for the loss.

Thank you,

Laurie Klinger
637-6242

SE Coalition for the community

Next Public Input Meeting
for the Overarching Organization temporarily known as
The SE Coalition

June 19th
5:30-7:30 PM
Senior Center, 2nd floor of SECS at 901 Shelby

***

First Friday Party

Neighborhood leaders & partners,

The Southeast Quality of Life plan is finished and it’s time to celebrate!

Everyone is invited to a neighborhood party & cookout on

June 6th from 4:30-7:00.

Join us at the at the corner of Virginia and Prospect in the National City parking lot for a family friendly First Friday evening with your neighbors!

Featuring

live music performed by local band The Eloquent Falling

Enjoy food from local establishments and an art contest for kids!

Questions? Contact Jennifer Rice at 654-5273

***

Shepherd Community Fundraiser

One Can Make A Difference
Fundraiser

We are putting together a fundraiser for Shepherd Community Center. There are 50 tickets remaining for those that would like to come and show their support for Shepherd Community Center at 4107 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46201.

Here is additional information about our fundraising event:

What: One Can Make A Difference Fundraiser for Shepherd Community Center

Where: The Oak Hill Mansion • 5801 E. 116th St. , Carmel , IN 46033

When: Thursday June 5, 2008 Silent Auction begins at 6:00 PM, Dinner at 7:00 PM.

You must RSVP by June 1st - There are currently a limited number of tickets available at no cost - due to the generosity of our event sponsors.

Why: Around 550 women and children have been integrated into Shepherd Community Center’s programs that were previously served by Indianapolis-based Wheeler Mission Ministries. Last February, Wheeler moved back to their focus, which is providing goods and services to the homeless, poor and needy of Central Indiana. Shepherd, whose mission is to aid families and children on Indianapolis’ near east side, has begun integrating these individuals into their existing continuum of care. This has created some significant funding needs for Shepherd. Our goal is to raise awareness of those needs and help off-set them through a fundraiser, “One Can Make A Difference”. We hope you will consider attending the fundraiser or donating directly to Shepherd Community Center and aid their mission to break the cycle of poverty.

RSVP to:
Jeff or Susan Dage.
Attn: One Can Make A Difference
10917 Belle Plaine Blvd
Fishers, IN 46037
(317)850-3427
jsdage@yahoo.com

For more information about Shepherd Community visit their website at www.shepherdcommunity.org
***

Free community meal

Supper with a Friend
(Free community meal)
May 28
5:00pm-7:00pm
Immanuel United Church of Christ
402 Prospect Street

This is a nice opportunity to enjoy a meal with your neighbors--even bring them. There's a special place set aside for the smaller children within sight of the parents. Immanuel is not asking for any support from the community, but those who would prefer may slip something to Annette Chom or Ed Stringer. Jane

Homelessness Initiative

ANNOUNCEMENT OF "THE BOXES" INITIATIVE

WHO:
Mayor Greg Ballard; Director of Public Safety, Scott Newman; Marion County Prosecutor, Carl Brizzi; Executive Director of Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP), Timothy Joyce; President of Indianapolis Downtown Inc., Tamara Zahn and Director of
Development of Horizon House, Lindsey Michaelides

WHAT:
Announcement of "The Boxes" - Indy's dual initiative to help those who are homeless in Marion County and address panhandling downtown

WHERE:
Mayor's Conference Room

WHEN:
Thursday May 22, 2008
9:30 a.m.

***

Wellness Classes for 55+ crowd

Remember!! OASIS Classes

Exercise and Health Education classes for seniors through OASIS begin again this week, May 19th at the Fountain Square Center, 901 S. Shelby St. Exercise classes will be on Mondays and Wednesdays at 1:00pm, with Folk Dancing beginning on Tuesday at 10:00am. Monday, May 19th at 2:30pm there will be a representative from the state Medicare program to explain what is and isn't covered, and to answer any Medicare questions. Please call Susie DeMunbrun at 965-1773 for more information.

***

Hatha Yoga Classes

Weekly Yoga Offered at Wheeler Arts Community

Hatha yoga classes, taught by Marsha Pappas meet every Thursday at 5:45-7:00pm at Wheeler Arts Community, room 108. The cost is $48 for a six-week session. If you would like to join or have questions, please contact Marsha at 409-2498. **When you arrive, please ring #108 at the front entrance to be let in the building.**

***

Peace in the Streets

Join the Peace in the Streets:
Stop the Violence Campaign

Hello all,

As you may have read (or seen in person) Mayor Ballard and the City of Indianapolis is partnering with the Christamore House to build a culture of peace in Indianapolis through the Peace in the Streets: Stop the Violence Campaign. As a part of that effort, we are encouraging citizens and businesses to join the call for an end to violence by placing Peace in the Streets yard signs on their property to show their support for a more civil community.

If you or someone you know is interested in receiving a sign, just email me or give me a call.

Thanks

Jeff



Jeff Small

Mayor's Neighborhood Liaison - Center Township
Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services
City of Indianapolis
200 East Washington Street, Suite 2160
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(317) 327-5595
(317) 327-5424 - fax

jsmall@indygov.org

www.indygov.org/myneighborhood

ATTENTION: Neighborhood Associations & Leaders

Abandoned Housing & Public Safety

Dear Neighborhood Leader and/or Community Development Representative,

Abandoned Housing and Public Safety have become an important issue across the community, and it is proven that there is a direct correlation between the two. Where there is crime, there will be abandoned houses and where there are a lot of abandoned houses, there will be crime.

On Saturday, May 17, 2008 the Department of Metropolitan Development, Division of Community Economic Development will host a Vacant/ Abandoned Buildings Training. The training will be held at Martin University (2171 Avondale Place Indianapolis, IN 46218) in Room F from 12 noon to 1:30PM. Our goal with this training is to determine where the highest populations of abandoned/ vacant structures are within your neighborhood so that the City can assist in providing resources to combat this issue to move towards making Indianapolis the “Safest City in the World.” This requires a lot of work, dedication, and collaboration with neighborhood groups, community development corporations, not-for-profits, as well as other stakeholders within your neighborhoods.

With this training:

* Neighborhoods will understand the process of how the City determines Vacant/Abandoned buildings in the communities.

* Neighborhoods will be able to correctly survey Vacant/Abandoned buildings in the neighborhoods using city guidelines and tools.

* Neighborhoods will be able to track the progress of where these buildings are in the system as they report them.

* Neighborhoods will be able to remonstrate against problem properties in their communities thereby creating empowerment and ownership for the well being of the community.

* And finally, Neighborhoods will have the opportunity to have input on the process itself.

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to canvas the immediate area assuring a hands-on experience with the tools. Please wear something comfortable and the appropriate footwear as we take our “short” trek through the neighborhood.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at…

Duane Ingram-Land Bank Manager
Department of Metropolitan Development
Division of Community Economic Development
City of Indianapolis, Indiana
200 E. Washington Street Ste. 2042
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

(317) 327-5614 Office
(317) 327-5908 Fax
www.indygov.org/indylandbank

OASIS Open House

OASIS
Open house and registration for May - August classes
Wednesday, May 7th from 1-3 pm
Fountain Square Center, 3rd Floor, 901 S. Shelby St

A national non-profit educational organization designed to enhance the quality of life for mature adults, is now offering health and wellness classes at Fountain Square. Classes will be held in the Fountain Square Center, 901 S. Shelby St., Indy, 46203. Please call 965-1773 for more information.

OASIS at Fountain Square

OASIS Open House

May 7, 2008
1-3 PM
901 S. Shelby, 3rd Floor

OASIS, a national non-profit educational organization designed to enhance the quality of life for mature adults, is now offering health and wellness classes at Fountain Square. Classes will be held in the Fountain Square Center, 901 S. Shelby St., Indy, 46203. An open house and registration for May - August classes will take place on Wednesday, May 7th from 1-3 pm, Fountain Square Center, 3rd floor. Please call 965-1773 for more information.

Low-impact exercise class that will teach you how to stay limber while conditioning your heart. Aerobics, toning and stretching included.
Mondays, 1:00 -2:00 pm. Beginning monday, may 19

Country line dancing-
Calling all beginners, learn the basics of line dancing. The most popular rhythms will be taught.
Tuesdays, 9:00 -10:00 am. Beginning tuesday, july 1

Exer-start-
Low-impact exercise class that involves moving all parts of your body. Focuses on range of motion, toning and balance.
Wednesdays, 1:00 -2:00pm. Beginning wednesday, may 21

International folk dance-
Learn ethnic dances from villages in eastern europe. Each week learn new dances, and dance the favorites from previous weeks. No experience necessary.
Tuesdays, 10:00 – 11:00am. Beginning tuesday, may 20

Medicare benefits-
Learn about medicare coverage for disease self-management classes, coverage of vaccines and immunizations, and what to do when medicare denies a claim. Class made possible by ship (state health assistance program). One session.
Monday, may 19, 2:30 -3:30 pm

Joint preservation- Dr. Peter Maiers
Learn about the anatomy of the knee, conservative measures of treatment prior to surgery, and when it is time for surgery. Class made possible by clarian health. One session.
Monday, june 9, 2:30-3:30 pm

OASIS membership is free! There is a $15 registration charge per trimester, when you sign up to take one or more classes. Some classes do have additional fees.

Please call 317-965-1773 for more information about OASIS classes at Fountain Square.

***

Update on Stacy Park Cleanup

"Friends of Historic Fountain Square"
has joined forces with FACT, becoming

"Friends & FACT"


They will be working on the 10th Annual Stacy Park cleanup and flower planting on
Saturday, May 10^th from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

***

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful

My Tree and Me

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Partners with 32 Area Retailers to Give All Indy Area Residents $20 Off of the Purchase of a Tree

The “My Tree and Me” campaign kicks off on Arbor Day with a massive coupon distribution

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIB) knows what friends we have in trees. That is why KIB has partnered with 32 area tree retailers to launch the “My Tree and Me” campaign, an innovative coupon campaign designed to promote and encourage residential tree planting in Indianapolis.

The campaign, which touts trees as “friends,” kicks off on Arbor Day, April 25th, and features a $20 coupon that can be used towards the purchase of a tree at participating tree retailers. Consumers must buy a tree of 1” caliper or larger and must have a Central Indiana address where the tree will be planted. There is no limit to the number of trees homeowners can purchase, but there must be a coupon presented for each tree purchased. Coupons and a complete list of retailers can be downloaded at www.mytreeandme.org. Hard copies of the coupon will be distributed this Friday at the Indy Free Tree giveaway at noon on Monument Circle, and also, on Saturday at the Earth Day festival downtown. To join this effort, go to www.mytreeandme.org for a digital version of the coupon that can be sent via email.

The “My Tree and Me” campaign is the next phase of the ongoing “NeighborWoods” initiative to increase tree canopy by planting 100,000 large trees in Indianapolis by 2017. More than 6,000 trees have already been planted by Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. and the City of Indianapolis in public places, parks, and neighborhoods since the program’s inception in 2007.

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to uniting people to beautify the city, improve the environment, and foster community pride.

For more information:
Contact David Forsell, 223-5183, dforsell@kibi.org
visit www.kibi.org
***

Great Indianapolis Cleanup

KIB Press Conference Information

Who: Mayor Greg Ballard, Deputy Mayor Olgen Williams, KIB Representative, Neighborhood Association Representatives

What: Great Indianapolis Cleanup/KIB summer projects

When: Tuesday, April 22 @ 12:30 p.m.

Where: Southeast intersection of State Street and Fletcher

Notes:

• The Mayor will discuss the importance of participation in the Great Indianapolis Cleanup and the partnership between the city and KIB as well as the need for people to volunteer throughout the year in such programs through their Neighborhood Associations, etc.
• KIB Representative will speak about their summer projects, etc. and ways citizens can get involved.
• The floor will be open for a few questions from the media present

***

Coming together in Community

The Southeast Faith-based Coalition is preparing to host a Study Circle
to develop the action plan for the
Suburban/Inner City Church Community Service Collaboration

All churches in the Southeast District are welcomed to send representatives to this April's monthly meeting and become a part of this unified effort to transform our community. How it will work is to be developed by the representatives participating in the Study Circle.

Southeast Faith-based Coalition April Meeting
April 24, 3 PM, at Victory Memorial UMC
1930 Woodlawn Ave (corner of Woodlawn & Villa)

***