Halloween Oct 31, 2009Tomorrow

Halloweeny Roast hotdog pitch-in is from 1-3PM Sat Oct. 31 at the corner of Otterbein and Edwards Ave.

Trix and treats is 6PM to 8PM later in the day.

U of I nursing students will be collecting canned goods for charity during trick or treat. Please be generous.

Meeting Notes from OCT 20 meeting

University Heights Neighborhood Association Meeting Minutes

October 20, 2009, 7:00PM

28 people in attendance.

Spring Tree Planting Project:

Nov 1st is deadline on tree planting. We need 20 people to sign up. If we don’t get them, we’ll try for next fall. Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB) provides the trees. The neighborhood supplies the labor for planting, refreshments. People have to agree to water trees—15 gallons, 3 times a week for 3 years. A person who signs up can have more than one tree. To sign up, contact David Wiese at david_wiese@yahoo.com.

Recycling Information:

Rudy is on the Indiana Recycling Coalition board. Information is available on the table in the back on tox drop (closest tox drop located on Shelby St. behind Flapjacks), phone book recycling. Ruth Soper half sheet on curb recycling. Jim Sachs, Republic Services, proposed a deal—intro offer 3 months free, and $36 for next year. Interested neighbors need to refer to Indiana Recycling Coalition Curbside. The recycling truck picks up every other week—same day as trash pick up. Ruth shares a bin with her neighbors since they are so big.



Greta Pennell brought up the problem with pick up in front—no place to put bins.

Phone book recycling is being done by KIB along with AT&T. Sites on flyers. Also bins at some schools. On the other side of the flyer is information on hazardous waste. Also drop off sites for recycling. Kroger in Southern Plaza is one.

What to do about the problem of recycling plastics 3 and up? Rudy says Rock 10 on West St. takes 3-7. Off season they take phone books.

UIndy Student Certified Housing:

David Wantz has breakfast with the dean tomorrow to talk about this. To say the neighborhood is interested is a wonderful thing. Certified housing—we draw a line around the neighborhood to enforce. We’ll say students have to live in certified housing in this area. We tell the landlord that they have to make sure tenants don’t have loud parties, they cut lawns, etc. And the landlord has to provide appropriate housing quality—furnace, water, etc. We’ll have a liaison at the university for addressing problems. We’ll grandfather students already in housing. This requires landlords to provide good housing for students and requires students to be good citizens.

This won’t solve non-student tenant problems.

Only four individuals who are unrelated can live in a house. It’s hard to enforce though.

Question about whether this will discourage students from living in the neighborhood. David Wantz said if they don’t want to follow the rules, they just can’t live in this neighborhood. The university could block registration. Discussion about the problems students often face—poor plumbing, insulation, smoke alarms, windows nailed shut. Right now the university can’t do anything for them and students are taken advantage of. Students on campus who go to parties in the neighborhoods are also more vulnerable to assault when they get drunk.

David Wiese said if we get details, then maybe we can take a formal vote on this.

Neighborhood Park/Maintenance:

We talked about this last month—what to do with the old Cummins Apts. location at Mathews and Edwards. Ideas included: A community park, picnic tables, tennis courts, playground. Also a proposal tonight for a project proposed to the neighborhood association in 1988 for an exercise area. A suggestion for community garden from university faculty was passed around (See attached). Jim Pennell explained that some faculty are working on ideas, some not so different than what we discussed last time, but they want to work with the neighborhood.

Does KIB have a way to support neighborhoods that have ideas? David Wantz (who is on their board): Yes. They have specialists in different areas. We could get them to come down and consult. We could apply for a pocket park. They would come and talk with us before we put in a proposal.



David Wiese said we need a maintenance plan. You have the best chance to get a grant if you have a maintenance plan. Maybe if we partner with the university, they mow and we take care of garden plots. It would take the involvement of a number of people, there has to be more than 2 people who will volunteer.

David Wiese asked if there were any ideas. A suggestion was made that we might need a smaller group for the next step, maybe 3 or 4 people. Those interested in participating were asked to raise their hands—Quin Starks, Greta Pennell, and Kay Stoelting volunteered. A dog park was suggested as another idea.

Quin Starks mentioned the other empty lot at Castle and Mathews. David Wantz said the university owns the block on that side except 4 houses. He said that the lot is fair game for conversation.

Kay Stoelting noted a potential danger on the corner—the entrance to a storm sewer there—it’s very big and a little kid could fall into it. Probably needs to have a grate over it. Calling the Mayor’s Action line was suggested, and that it was better if the call came from a neighbor. Kay will call.

Don Bolinger made a proposal to the neighborhood association 21 years ago that was inspired by a trip through Wisconsin. He suggested this could be something we might do with the park area—create a fitness area with stations and plaques that explain the exercises. Jim Pennell suggested using different areas in the neighborhood—could spread it out to the other university property and the existing park. Patrick—Lebanon park, also Eagle Creek.

It was suggested that maybe some university students could help with developing the exercise stations. Greta mentioned that Mindy Mayol at the university teaches a course related to it.

2010 Projects / Events / Ideas:

Community park will take a lot of time. Maybe have events and get people out for it.

We didn’t do a neighborhood clean up last spring. Mostly cleaning curbs. Needs done. Anyone want to coordinate and get with university people? Greta explained timing problem. The university moved its service to first weekend in April, so it doesn’t coincide with the city cleanup. Good thing might be that we don’t compete for materials. Put that on as an idea? There appeared to be some interest.

We have held a neighborhood garage sale in the past. One idea was to do it where Cummins used to be and donate money to a charity.

A sculpture walk at the university was also suggested.

We combine some meetings with events to get people out and try to reduce the time commitment. Special committees could meet before the regular meeting.

We could put information useful to the neighborhood on a UHNA website.



We could do a plant exchange at planting time, since sometimes people buy too much.

David Wantz mentioned an abandoned house on Weaver. There was a Neighbor Power conference at UIndy this weekend. They have a dirty dozen template. Bates Hendricks had a dirty 30. They create a timeline for what hasn’t happened with abandoned housing. David provided literature. They have something called the Indy Land Bank where they purchase abandoned properties. Could put the information on the website. Greg Filter will do.

Don Bolinger has a sweet gum tree he needs to take down. It is tearing up the sidewalk. The tree is on the city’s right of way, so it belongs to them. He was told by the city tree person the sidewalk is the homeowner’s problem. Some discussion on this. On the tree planting, KIB helps with getting the right tree for the location. New sidewalks on Mills Ave. The city put in sidewalks after a petition drive—so they will put in sidewalks. But you have to get neighbors together and petition.


Next month, revisit the bylaws discussed last time. We want to be proactive, but still will need to be reactive. Jim Pennell mentioned beer cans piled at the curb on Mills. Resident’s intention is to help, probably just need to mention to him and suggest some other approach.

HalloWeenie Roast. October 31, 1-3PM. Just bring lawn chairs and drinks. Hot dogs and condiments will be provided. UIndy will provide chips and cookies. Angela Lord is planning a lot of activities for kids.

FYI: the Student Nursing Association doing an event this Sunday 4-7, around Martin Hall. There will be a lifeline helicopter for kids to see. Go to Smith Mall, in front of Martin Hall. And bring a can of food to the HalloWeenie roast. They will also be collecting door-to-door.

Thanks to Debbie and Natalie for doing the cards for veterans.

Minutes submitted by Jim Pennell.



Future Meetings:

All meetings begin at 7:00 PM

November 17, 2009

No December Meeting

January 19, 2010

February 16, 2010

March 16, 2010

April 20, 2010


From Kevin Whiteacre, Assistant Professor and Director of the Community Research Center

The Biology, Social Sciences, and English Departments are, along with the Community Research Center, collaborating to propose a pilot educational community garden in the empty lot at the intersection of Matthews and Edwards where the Cummins apartments used to be located. Mary Gobbett, Kevin Whiteacre, and Kevin McKelvey are heading the project. The project is in the initial stages, so there are no firm commitments on the contents or layout of the garden, but it is anticipated that it will consist primarily of vegetable crops. Native perennials might also be included. We hope to plant the garden in the spring of 2010, and a winter cover crop will be planted the following fall so that whatever else happens, at the very least the project leaves the property more fertile and better planted than it finds it.

Several university professors have already indicated an interest in using the garden for different purposes, such as honors projects and service learning labs. We would like input from the neighborhood residents regarding such a site, whether there is an interest in utilizing a community garden and of course, whether there is support for piloting a garden on that property.

It is a pilot, and we are intentionally keeping the project small in order to best achieve the following goals: 1) identify ways in which such a garden might be used by university personnel and community residents; 2) establish a protocol for managing garden access, use, etc.; 3) establish how the grounds will be maintained through the entire year to ensure it is a local asset, not a liability; 4) identify the most appropriate layout and content in light of the above issues; and 5) ultimately assess the feasibility of locating an educational community garden permanently on campus property.

Neighborhood Meeting Tomorrow Night, Tuesday 10/20

If you know of neighbors who do not have email access, please make sure they get a copy!

University Heights Neighborhood Monthly Meeting

Tuesday, 10/20/2009
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
UIndy Stierwalt Alumni House, Multipurpose Room
Co-Leaders: David Wiese and Ruth Soper
Recorder: Jim Pennell


Agenda Topics Expected Result
Spring Tree Planting Project Circulate Sign-up sheet
Recycle Information
UIndy Student Certified Housing Brainstorm General idea document
Neighborhood Park / Maintenance Design & Maint Plan
2010 Projects / Events / Ideas

Notes: Come early at 6:30 PM and create a card to send to an American Veteran (supplies will be furnished).


Future Meetings:
All meetings begin at 7:00 PM at the UIndy Stierwalt Alumni House.

October 20, 2009
November 17, 2009
No December Meeting
January 19, 2010
February 16, 2010
March 16, 2010
April 20, 2010

October Meeting 10/20/2009 Plus Minutes from Sept Meeting

Mark it on your Calendar: The next University Heights Neighborhood Meeting will take place Tuesday, October 20th, 7 p.m. in UIndy’s Stierwalt Alumni House (on the SE corner of Otterbein and Windermire).




UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES

From September 15, 2009

* There were 26 people present at the September meeting of the University Heights Neighborhood Association.



* Denny Rusher, the current UHNA president, explained the role of the association in the past, why it was formed, and his work as President over the years. He is ready to step down and serve the neighborhood on an as-needed basis.



* David Wantz thanked Denny Rusher for his many years of service and spoke of how Denny always had the neighborhood’s best interests in mind when representing it.



* Jim Pennell presented his ideas on creating a small University Heights Neighborhood Association governance structure with two coordinators and a secretary to keep minutes and suggested some terms of service and limits (see page 2). The primary rationale was to keep the structure simple, but provide some leadership for helping neighborhood residents identify needs and organize for action. There was some discussion, but no decision. David Wiese suggested the proposal be given some time for consideration, and volunteered to serve as acting coordinator. This suggestion was affirmed by those attending. Ruth Soper volunteered to serve as co-coordinator with David for the six-month period. Jim Pennell volunteered to serve as secretary for that period. During this time period, it will be decided how the co-coordinators will be chosen in the future.



* UIndy students Emily Frey and Morgan Huser, who live in the neighborhood, wanted to know what they might do as part of a class service project. They were considering doing a trick-or-treat canned good drive for a local food pantry. A number of other ideas were suggested. Angela Lord suggested neighbors be more active on Halloween: leaving porch lights on and visiting with each other. Other suggestions included making cards for veterans and reverse trick or treating where Global Exchange provides fair traded chocolate to give out. Emily and Morgan will present ideas to their fellow classmates and will discuss their decision at the next meeting.



* David Wiese suggested doing a neighborhood cookout in his yard at the corner of Edwards and Otterbein on Saturday, October 31 (Halloween). Jim Pennell volunteered to buy hotdogs. Denny Rusher said he has a pop up tent, if needed, and the Pennells have a tent. Jim and Angela Lord volunteered to coordinate the event. Activities for children such as corn hole were suggested. The event will be scheduled in the afternoon so as not to interfere with trick or treating. Emily and Morgan agreed to do flyers.



* The group brainstormed ideas for what might be done with the lot of the former Cummins Apts. Suggestions included sculpture, a community garden or flower garden, a kid’s community garden, tennis courts, a playground for small children, a picnic area, and a labyrinth. There was some discussion about who would maintain whatever was developed, the university? The neighborhood?



* The next meeting is Tuesday, October 20, at 7 p.m. in UIndy’s Stierwalt Alumni House (on the SE corner of Otterbein and Windermire). A program called “Stamp for a Cause” will begin at 6:30 p.m. Neighbors will be able to decorate and sign cards to be sent to military personnel who are stationed overseas.



* MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Meeting dates for the remainder of 2009:



October 20 November 17 December 15

Minutes were compiled and submitted by Jim Pennell from his and Nancy Collins’ notes.

Organizing the Neighborhood Association

Jim Pennell

September 15, 2009

1. I propose that we have a simple and flat governance structure. Instead of having a board or a council, we elect two co-coordinators and a secretary who keeps minutes.

Rationale: There is no reason to have a board of directors or a council at this point. We should meet together and make decisions as a body of the whole. Having co-coordinators will help address the problem of one of them not being able to attend a meeting, and they can share leadership responsibilities. The co-coordinators can work together to plan and run neighborhood association meetings. The secretary will keep minutes. We can create other positions and also end those positions as needed. For example, we may want to elect leaders for specific projects or initiatives.

2. So that these leadership roles do not become burdensome and others are able to assume leadership roles, I recommend two-year terms with a two-term limit for the co-coordinators and secretary.

Rationale: There are a number of pros and cons to having someone in the same position for many years, versus rotating people more frequently. I think we are more likely to get broader participation and a willingness to serve if terms are relatively short. Term limits will also require others to step up and assume leadership responsibilities.

3. For the first year terms, I propose that one co-coordinator serve a one-year term, and the other a two-year term, so that the elections for both positions will be staggered, and a new co-coordinator will be working with one with some experience.



4. Co-coordinators and the secretary can take no action in the name of the UHNA without approval of the neighborhood association. They may represent the association, share its positions, and take actions only as formally determined by the association.

Rationale: Leaders of the association should only act with approval of the neighborhood association to avoid misrepresenting the will of the group.

5. Action items to be considered at a meeting will be announced no less than one week in advance.

Rationale: Residents need to know what is coming before the association, and should have the opportunity to speak and vote for or against.

Question: How will announcements be made? Via e-mail? A neighborhood website? With flyers?

6. Action items announced in advance will be formally proposed at a meeting, discussed, and voted on by those present.

Rationale: If people are informed about items coming before the association and have some interest, they should be at the meeting.

7. A majority decision carries.

Question: This could be divisive. Do we want something closer to a consensus? Two-thirds majority? Should we have a one-household one vote rule? Or any neighborhood resident who attends can vote?

8. Action items brought up at a meeting without prior announcement can be discussed, but cannot be brought to a vote until the next meeting, after being announced as an agenda item.

Rationale: See #4.

9. Voting participation in the University Heights Neighborhood Association is restricted to residents (whether owner-occupants or renters) living in the area bounded by Hanna, Asbury, Lawrence, and Shelby.

Question: Do we include both sides of the boundary streets? What do we want to do with businesses, the university, churches? Should other adjoining streets be added? What about the trailer park?

University Heights Neighborhood Association Meeting

University Heights Neighborhood Association Meeting

Tuesday, September 15, at 7 p.m.

UIndy Stierwalt Alumni House, Multipurpose Room

(on the southeast corner of Otterbein and Windermire)



Let’s strike while the iron’s hot!



Many University Heights residents have been working diligently to develop a Mission Statement and Vision Plan for this neighborhood in order to make it an inviting, vibrant area for people to live.



Come to this meeting of the University Heights Neighborhood Association to discuss:

* Neighborhood goals
* “What happens next?”
* Procedures for induction of officers on the association’s board

(Nominations will be accepted at the Oct. 20 meeting and voting will take place at the Nov. 17 meeting.)





SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS: A database of resident e-mails is being built in order to send neighborhood news and meeting reminders. Please e-mail Nancy Collins at ncollins@uindy.edu to be added to this group. Include your name, address, and phone number.



MARK YOUR CALENDAR: UHNA meetings will be held the

3rd Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. in the same location, so we can become a proactive versus reactive neighborhood.

Neighborhood Meeting, Tuesday, Sept.15

Neighborhood Meeting, Tuesday, Sept.15

7PM

UIndy Stierwalt Alumni House, Multipurpose Room

Good Bye Sweet Married Student Housing.

This year University of Indianapolis announced that the end was near for the housing apartments at the corner of Mathews and Edwards. This week, the moving van came and removed the appliances. Then the big wrecking machines went to town.

What next for this corner of the neighborhood? A skyscraper? Lux condos? An amusement park? Or just a park? Stay tuned for more.

 

 

 

Come One, Come All - Tuesday June 16

Hello, neighbors!
Attached is the Vision Plan and Mission Statement that created from your responses at the two workshops in May. Please look them over and plan to talk about them at the next meeting on Tuesday, June 16, at 7 p.m. in Good Hall Recital Hall (the same place the workshops were held).

Proposed Neighborhood Vision Statement

The University Heights (UH) neighborhood is a community where homeowners and
renters work in unison to create an atmosphere that mimics the sociable ambience, beautification efforts, and safe environment of years past. This commitment contributes to an escalating pride of place that encourages longtime residents to remain and younger residents, many with families,to establish new roots.
The UH neighborhood is an established community where homes were built with character, such as including porches and yards to encourage neighbor interaction. Residents engage in friendly conversation and welcome the continued diversity of homeowners. Tree-lined streets with sidewalks make it a walkable community and easy access to downtown Indianapolis and major highways is an added convenience. The University Heights Neighborhood Association was established to give the residents a common voice, to deal with problems as they arise, and to revitalize the neighborhood.
The UH neighborhood is adjacent to the University of Indianapolis, which adds resources for residents’ use and various other support services, such as police patrols. In recent years, rental property owners have been lackadaisical in the upkeep of their homes and in monitoring their renters’ actions, so current residents have complaints about the lack of ownership renters place on these rental properties. Because of this concern, the University requires certified housing qualifications to be met for its students by following these steps:

• Rental property owners sign a contract and abide by its rules of conduct, maintenance, and service.

• Students sign a contract and abide by its rules of conduct, maintenance, and service.

• Action is taken by the University against students who do not show initiative in the maintenance of the property and/or who do not abide by the rules stated in the contract.
  

The land that was occupied by the University’s apartments on the corner of Castle Avenue and
Edwards Street is now a park-like setting that includes green space and picnic tables for area
residents.

As the University Heights neighborhood begins its renewed interest in the future of this
close-knit community, businesses and restaurants will move back into the area as they see
opportunities to participate in the revitalization of the area.

University Heights Neighborhood Mission Statement
In order to achieve this vision, we require positive actions by a strong neighborhood association,
committed neighbors, and strong partnerships with the University of Indianapolis and other area businesses.

Attention Neighbors. Now is the time to take part!

ATTENTION UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS NEIGHBORS:

Are you concerned about?
Loud parties
Pot holes and Abandoned cars
Barking dogs
Unsafe driving
Parked semi trucks
Suspicious people and cars
Door to door solicitations
Graffiti and Vandalism
Litter

Would you like to see?
A beautiful neighborhood sign
A Pocket park
Good sidewalks
Ample street lighting
Repaired streets
Good alleys
Friendly neighbors
Increased property values
Involved landlords

If you said “yes” to any of these questions, then you are a concerned neighbor and care about the future of our neighborhood. There have been some problems and concerns as well as dreams for a better neighborhood in the near future. In order to accomplish these dreams, we must all get involved. The meeting held last fall is proof that we only get a response from neighbors when there are problems. We should stay one step ahead of the problems and work together to make our neighborhood a community that people desire to live in.

We have an opportunity that many neighborhoods do not have – the University of Indianapolis is our neighbor and our friend. They have made it clear that they want to be a good neighbor and are willing to help us; all we have to do is ask. David Wantz, from the Community Relations office at UIndy, has agreed to facilitate a workshop to help create this vision and to also establish a mission statement for our neighborhood.

There will be (2) workshops available in order to accommodate everyone’s schedule:
Monday, May 11, from 7-9 p.m. OR Saturday, May 16, from 9-11 a.m.
Both workshops will be held on the first floor (Recital Hall) of UIndy's Good Hall (big columns on Hanna Ave. and Otterbein"

(Map available here: http://www.uindy.edu/maps/campusmap.php)

Please mark your calendar and plan to attend either session. I am looking forward to working with all of you to make our neighborhood the neighborhood of choice.

Sincerely,
Denny Rusher
President, University Heights Neighborhood Association

Meeting Tonight

There is a neighborhood board meeting tonight, Tuesday, April 14th at 7:00 p.m. at the Alumni Building. All neighbors welcome. Hope to see all of you there.

Discussed will be the topic of the outcome of the Married Student Housing Building at the corner of Edwards and Mathews.

Great Indy Clean Up This Saturday!!!

Hello UIndy Community!

It's that time of year again for the Great Indy Cleanup! I know many participated last year, and the Community Programs Center, along with Campus Program Board, would like to extend that opportunity to you again.

The Great Indy Cleanup will take place on Saturday April 4th, 2009. Registration starts at 9 am by UIndy Hall, with the service projects lasting from 9:30 am until noon. These projects range from picking up trash at UIndy and the surrounding community, as well as the Hannah House and University Heights church and preschool. The hours of service accumulated can be added to students' transcripts.

Lunch and t-shirts will be provided to all who participate.

Registration is currently taking place! There are green forms available in SC 209 (Student Affairs Office). However, if you would like us to send you an electronic copy of the form, please e-mail us a response. Registration can be by individual or teams.

Also, we are looking for Group Leaders for each of the projects during this event. The Group Leaders would be responsible for taking a group to an area assigned to them. We would love for faculty to participate as Group Leaders. If any faculty members are interested, please have them respond to me for more details.

This will be an exciting event, and we hope many of your will want to take part!

Thank you for your time!!!!

----

Marianna K. Foulkrod
Community Partnerships & Service Coordinator

University Heights Spring Meeting!!!

Tuesday, March 24th at 7:00 p.m. in Alumni Hall. This will be a regular style meeting, just barebones, so eat before you come.

Denny says "Hope to see everyone there!"

Everyone is welcome.
Bring your ideas. Bring a neighbor!

Greg

More Pothole Fun!

The City of Indianapolis website has some new features on it. I was pleased to find some specific improvements with some new information that you might want to refer to periodically, namely for scheduled chuckhole repairs.



http://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DPW/Road/StreetRepairs/Pages/PotholeRepairSchedule.aspx is where you can access the scheduled repairs. DPW restructured last year into planned and unplanned repairs. This allowed them to initiate scheduled maintenance, which as any good car owner knows is key to maintaining things properly. This link is for the crews doing the preventive maintenance for known stretches of bad road. Unplanned repairs are not listed here, as they are by definition unplanned. That is in response to your emails and calls.



Please use the new link to report potholes directly 24 hours a day at http://www.indy.gov/eGov/Mayor/Pages/MACenter.aspx.



Gary

Gary A. Loveless

Mayor's Neighborhood Liaison/Perry and Franklin Twps.

Mayor Gregory A. Ballard

2160 City-County Building

Potholes Swallowing Cars!

While this is a funny name, it works wonders for entering your chuckholes that need fixed. You can enter them yourself at whatever time of the day or night you happen to think of it and have time. 24 hours. And it goes DIRECTLY into the software to get it fixed. The weather is cooperating better now, but the two day repair time we were down to is now up again, but expect all repairs to be completed in ten days is what we are being told. A street address is important to enter this into the software so please write down a close address.

Here is the link to our page!

http://www.indy.gov/eGov/Mayor/Pages/MACenter.aspx

Southside Neighborhood Forum

Southside Neighborhood Forum

Sponsored by the GSBA (Greater Southport Business Alliance)

Wednesday, March 25th

7-8 pm

Southport Community Center

6901 Derbyshire Rd

Topic: CRIME: How to identify, protect and inform

others regarding small crimes, thefts, vandalism,

graffiti, “tagging” and gangs

Facilitator: Kevin Wheeler, Government Affairs Chair, GSBA

Representatives from:

Southport Police Department

Indianapolis Metro Police

Homecroft Police Department

Marion County Prosecutor’s Office

Perry Township Schools

Attendance Benefits:

LEARN:

Who to call/how to report

What to do to protect property and person

How to ID Suspected criminal activity/persons

**Sign up for future Focus groups**

Panel Discussion

For more information, please contact the GSBA at: 787-1300

What if you could live in our neighborhood but pick the school your children attend?

A new change to Indiana State Law could allow people in our neighborhood to send the children to Perry Township schools. Here we are in University Heights neighborhood which is in Perry Township, yet because of the way they did things in the past, students here go to IPS. What if this change in state law allowed students to be sent to Perry Township Schools? Would that allow more families to move into our neighborhood? More homeowners?

From the Indianapolis Star:

"

In the past, schools have charged parents as much as $5,000 a year to recoup the difference between what the state paid to teach their child and what local taxpayers contributed. But next year, the state will pick up schools' entire operating budgets as a way to reduce property taxes.

With the state paying all operating costs, tuition will largely be a thing of the past after this semester, though some districts can still charge small amounts.

The new rules should give parents more opportunity to choose their child's school. Unless the legislature steps in, though, school districts have discretion to decide whether to accept transfer students and, if they do, which ones they will accept.

"

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080829/LOCAL/808290446

Garage Sale / Trees

Get your stuff out! Garage sale tomorrow!

Read this today regarding the value of trees:

Trees worth $5.7 million a year to Indy, study says

Study details the economic value of trees and the need to plant more

As a push to plant 1 million new trees across Indiana nears its halfway mark, a new study shows that trees provide an annual $5.7 million benefit in Indianapolis alone.

» Intercept 318.9 million gallons of rainfall a year at an estimated savings of nearly $2 million, or about $17 per tree, in storm-water handling costs.

» Cut electricity use by more than 6,447 megawatt hours, worth $432,000, by the shading effect of trees in the summer, which helps keep homes cool.

» Remove 1.5 pounds of air pollutants per tree, valued at $212,000.

» Increase property values and provide other benefits worth $2.9 million or, on average, $24 per tree.

Read More at the Indy Star: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080516/LOCAL/805160469/1304/LOCAL

Not mentioned in the article is that neighborhoods with more trees have less vandalism. Trees slow the cold winter winds. And best of all trees have a positive effect on people - they make us feel happy and connected with nature, they reduce stress, they help us recover from illness faster, and they restore our spirits.

Plant a tree this weekend!

Greg

Neighborhood Yard Sale

This Saturday, May 17th, is the neighborhood yard / garage sale. Ads in the Indianapolis Star start tomorrow, May 14th, and run also on Thursday, May 15th in the print addition.

The online addition will carry info about the garage sale through the weekend.
Remember, while this is a neighborhood wide garage sale, you will host your items in your garage, front porch or in your yard.

Try and be outside by 7:30AM. Big buyers are early birders.

• Have calculators, pens, newspaper to wrap breakables, boxes, and bags handy.
  
• Have plenty of change and one dollar bills on hand.
  
• Set up a secure area for your sales transactions to enable you to keep a close eye on your money box.
  
• Inform your direct neighbors that you are having a garage sale. Offer to rope their yard so people don't park on their grass.
  
• Have extension cords plugged into outlets so that electrical items can be tested.
  
• Plan to set an inviting mood by playing soft, easy-listening music.
  
• If you are short on help, consider wearing a 3-pocket apron or a fanny-wrapper purse, so that you can keep your money near you while you mingle with your shoppers.

Below are some tips and a couple of hyperlinks you should in preparation for Saturday!


From the Fun Times Guide to Yard Sales:
http://thefuntimesguide.com/2007/06/garage_sale_tips_yard_sales.php

If You've Had A Yard Sale Before...

Think back to what went wrong and what went right at your previous yard sales. Make mental notes of things you want to do at this year's yard sale, based on what you've learned from previous ones.

And if you want to do it even better the next time, then take the time to jot down some notes, and make a point to save any items that you can reuse at future yard sales.

For example, I've probably hosted a dozen or so yard sales in my lifetime, and I have one large Rubbermaid container that contains all my "necessities". So, whenever it's time to have another yard sale, I just drag out that one bin and everything I need is right there.

What's inside:

black sharpie markers	flags, pennants, balloons
blue painter's tape	staple gun
coin box	waist aprons with pockets
leftover posterboard	any old, leftover signs
clear see-thru page protectors	notepad of all my notes & a pen
mr. clean magic erasers

Prepare Your Individual Items For Sale

This year, I found a lifesaver... it's called the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser!

Those little white cubes worked "magic" for cleaning things up a bit. For the yardsale, they worked best on hardbound books, removing soot from candle jars & candle holders, and cleaning out all the tiny nooks & crannies on plastic things like coolers, chairs, handles, lids, etc.

Also helpful were Lysol Cleaning Wipes. I used those to wipe-down practically everything I was selling.

As a result, many of the items I was selling looked much newer than they actually were!

Decide What You're Going To Do With The Dog

The the dog lover in me agrees with The Queen of Yard Sales:

Although you may have the friendliest dog in the world, it's best to keep them away from your yard sale. Some people are afraid of dogs or are allergic. The day of your yard sale may be the day that your friendly dog, unaccustomed to the excitement of all the people, may decide to take a chunk out of the toddler that pulls on his tail. (Or jump up on customer and get mud on a customer's pants - but hey, I swear it wasn't my fault - that customer shouldn't have come to my yardsale until I was officially opened!) It's also for the dog's safety as well, since cars will be coming and going from your driveway."

At first, I gave my (very shy) dog room to roam back & forth from the kitchen to the garage -- up to a certain point where I'd strategically placed tables to "block off" the back of the garage. But after awhile, I decided this was a bit confusing to him, so I let him hang out in the house alone. If your dog isn't particularly comfortable entertaining himself in the house alone, you may want to try a crate or kennel instead. (My dog would've done just as well inside his crate.)

Read more yard sale tips here:
Good tips!
http://couponing.about.com/od/smorgasbord/a/garagesale.htm
More:
http://thefuntimesguide.com/2007/06/how_to_have_a_yard_sale_tips.php

University Heights Clean Up - Great Success!

This last Saturday saw hundreds of students and volunteers out cleaning our neighborhood. Gutters were cleared, brush was removed and litter picked up. This event didn't just occur in University Heights, but was mirrored in neighborhoods throughout the city.

The weather cooperated and the sun came out. I must say that this clean-up would not be possible with out the help of many contributors. The University of Indianapolis was probably carried the most weight in getting this together along with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful. The students I worked with great, full of energy and goodwill. They worked hard and I think that should count toward their grades. I will have a list of other gracious folk who should be recognized.

Here is a short paragraph from our president, Denny Rusher:
"I want to thank everyone personally for their efforts last Saturday . . . As a group we need to figure out how to publicly thank the students for their contributions . . . Their contribution was awesome. We drove around the next day and the neighborhood looks great."

I thought the process was more efficient than last year. The event kicked off with several dignitaries including the mayors of Beech Grove, Southport and Indianapolis. For lunch, pizza was served, both from the campus dining service and from Papa John's. Workforce, Inc. was onsite and was able to recycle more than a dozen gaylord boxes of recyclables.

March Update

Spring Meeting Just Around the Bend: MONDAY APRIL 7th! Yes, It is on a Monday this time.

Monday April 7, 7:00 PM– In basement of University Heights Methodist Church at the Corner of Otterbein and Hanna. If you have any neighborhood concerns, please bring them to this meeting.

How about the election this month? Did you vote? I almost didn't realize our polling location had changed. I liked walking to UHMC to vote, but I must say the new location on Sumner was fine.


The Great Indy Clean-Up

After last years very successful clean-up of our neighborhood, this year's clean-up has a broader vision with clean-ups around the Southside.

We need 50 volunteers from our neighborhood– Section Leaders, Block Captains, and workers. Bring your own shovels, brooms and other tools that might be useful.

If you have a pickup truck that could be used – bring it. Gloves provided.

Our focus this year will be curbs and then trash in alleys as time permits.

All residents need to park their cars off of streets that morning – church and/or UINDY parking lots should be utilized.

If you are going to work the cleanup, but can not attend the Spring Meeting (see below), contact Denny Rusher @ 788-7019 or 965-4966 so that you can get a T-Shirt.



Annual Garage Sale will be Saturday, May 17.
Get out your stash and sell - sell - sell!