Block Party 6/5 12noon-5pm at Park and 19th Street

TOWN FUNK BLOCK PARTY

Saturday, June 5, noon - 5pm19th and Park Blvd near Woody's.The Lake Neighbors wanted to through a summer block party and then we learned that Community Rejuvination Project ALSO wanted to through a block party in our neighborhood. So we said, let's make them feel welcome in the hood and partner up for this great event!

There is a long list of performers and DJ's, including a special tribute to Michael Jackson nearing the anniversary of his death. And we also know Michael Jackson makes people wanna DANCE! Also, CRJ will be unveiling a new mural that they'll be painting on site! So, since we are hosting, we need to help make this party rock! I need volunteers for:

General Set Up:
11-noon, 4 volunteers needed

Manning the Lake Neighbors Booth:(answer questions about our great group and pass out our new postcards)
11:30-2pm... two volunteers needed2pm-4pm... two volunteers needed
4pm-5:30pm... two volunteers needed

Serving Food:(help people fix their plates at the food table)
11:30-2pm... two volunteers needed2pm-4pm... two volunteers needed
4pm-5:30pm... two volunteers needed

Collecting Trash:(make sure people know where to throw their trash, compost, recyleables, etc...)
11:30-2pm... two volunteers needed2pm-4pm... two volunteers needed
4pm-5:30pm... two volunteers needed

Tear Down and Clean Up:
5-6pm, 4 volunteers needed

Making a poster for the Lake Neighbors Booth:
Big and pretty to hang on the table. Please turn in to Sasha by Friday

You're help promoting is also greatly appreciated! Pick up flyers like the one attached at Woody's cafe as of Saturday am. Or, share this press release with organizations you know.

Contact me to get on the schedule. betsy@lakeneighbors.org or 803-566-1771
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June Neighborhood mtg 6/6 at G17

And the June Lake Neighbors Meeting is also our Lake Neighbors Garden Work Day and Potluck BBQ!
Sunday, June 6, @ Garden 17 4pm.
Meet at the Garden on E 17th to do a little more beautification.
It would be great to paint a sign as well as paint the black pots in the garden, so bring paints, brushes, scrap wood and some creativity.
Also, if you'd like to add more plants/pots, bring those too!
We'll do the best with what we have.

5:30. We'll start grilling! It's pot luck, so bring a side dish to share or something to put on the grill. If you have a grill, let me know and we might use it too! This is social time, meet a new neighbor, catch up with old friends, plan your next rafting trip, what ever!! BRING YOUR OWN: Chair, plate, fork, glass. No one person is hosting so no one person is responsible for these things. We all live close enough to walk home and wash our own dish. :-)

6:30-730 We'll sit down and have our monthly meeting right there in the garden! Afterwards, stay and hang out as long as you like. Rain plan: The Bermans house accross the street, hosted by Betsy and Nico.
It's not mandatory, but RSVP's are helpful for planning. :-)

Town Funk Block Party COMING UP 6/5!

EVENTS UPDATE

June 5th "Town Funk" Block Party from 12 noon to 5pm -- has evolved into a pretty dynamic event. Make sure you drop by -- free food, BBQ, local artists & musicians...great music - a tribute to Michael Jackson for part of it...over on Park Street next to Woody's (across from The Parkway).

JUNE 6^th (Sunday 6:30pm)- Lake Neighbors Mtg...SPECIAL LOCATION will be our "annual meeting BBQ" and will be on East 17^th street between 3^rd and 4^thAvenues at Garden 17 (AKA: G17)! This is just one block from Luckys.

JUNE 29^th (Tuesday 6:30pm)--Lake Neighbors Mtg @ Regen Church on the corner of 3^rd Ave & E. 15^th

JULY 25^th (Sunday 6:30pm) @ Hector & Sasha’s 1704 3^rdAve. at E.17^th (right across from Lucky’s)

AUGUST 17^th (Tuesday 6:30pm) – Lake Neighbors Mtg @Regen Church on the corner of 3^rd Ave & E. 15^th

Meeting Minutes: 5/11/10

LAKE NEIGHBORS

Hi! GREAT meeting -- strong turnout. The positive, open and involved energy everyone is bringing makes it a pleasure to keep going forward. Intros had a few new folks and many old timers -- also an official guest (Jennie Gerard who is the Chief of Staff to Dist. 2 Councilmember Pat Kernighan -- Jennie encouraged open dialog and contact with her for the Lakeneighbors (her email is jgerard@oaklandnet.com & phone is 510 238-7023).

FIRST…our next several meetings (there are a few changes!):

JUNE 6^th (Sunday 6:30pm)- Lake Neighbors Mtg...SPECIAL LOCATION will be our "annual meeting BBQ" and will be on East 17^th street between 3^rd and 4^th Avenues at Garden 17 (AKA: G17)! This is just one block from Luckys.

JUNE 29^th (Tuesday 6:30pm)--Lake Neighbors Mtg @ Regen Church on the corner of 3^rd Ave & E. 15^th

JULY 25^th (Sunday 6:30pm) @ Hector & Sasha’s 1704 3^rd Ave. at E.17^th (right across from Lucky’s)

AUGUST 17^th (Tuesday 6:30pm) – Lake Neighbors Mtg @ Regen Church on the corner of 3^rd Ave & E. 15^th

This meeting we really just focused in on the Alternative Currency Project that is being run by Devin who has done a lot of work on looking into this for our neighborhood and he gave us a very good presentation that sought to orient and educate us so we can make some decisions as a group to begin some trials to see how this can work here.

He began by showing a video (I think this is on our website, by the way). We can take this in stages and start use of this now in a way that can allow for it to grow. Later if it is established it is a possible back up that will allow us to still function should an emergency arise.

There are 3 major methods of Alt. Currency out there being used successfully by other communities/neighborhoods. They are 1) Ithaca Hours Model which is one of the longest running methods (several decades) and is roughly 1hr = 1 bill = $10 avg (more or less)....then there is 2) A model used by 4th Corner Exchange where we could either use physical bills with serial numbers or keep a database tracking virtual currency earned by trade or work/service done...and then there is 3) Bernal method -- this is most easily started because it is a sticker that is put on existing mainstream currency that is recognized by participating local businesses etc. that can be spent in our community...

We talked about the downsides and risks around costs and also about counterfeit -- etc...but the trust factor and change in paradigm and philosophy here is so different from mainstream that it tends to happen much less it is not hoarded. We have to structure it in such a way that it keeps flowing within this neighborhood and doesn't get sent out and lost to our "flow" here...also being electronic will be problematic in a serious emergency/blackout.

No set decisions were established at this early point -- next steps are polling people and local businesses to see who is "in" -- we need a critical mass of about 30 or 40 to have a good start. It was said we would have to have a concise explanation on what we use to increase the success of it.

Please contact Devin (you can email me and I'll forward it to him) with your interest and ways you would like to participate! He's accumulating a growing group now...this could really happen. Pretty interesting and exciting -- and not to mention a big undertaking on Devin's part -- thank you Devin!!!!! Nico is joining in with him to help. One other person is considering it also.

That's mostly it for the moment on that -- we had Andy join in as our new OPD contact. It was noted that it has been some time since we have had them join in on a meeting and that it would be a good idea to have them come to our next meeting or one soon after.

COMMUNITY GARDENS REMINDER

CSA (produce) Boxes are now available arranged by Betsy from Shooting Star CSA… About the Farm: You may have met Lily and Mat at FRESH. Everything in your box is grown on Shooting Star's farm in Fairfield, and is organically grown. The 2010 season begins the week of May 24th and goes through the week of November 30th. Pick-up is expected be at Regen's Community Center, 215 E 15th, on Tuesdays, from approx. 4pm - 8pm. Membership rates are: Full Harvest Season, 28 weeks, $616 ($22/wk,Can be made in two payments of $308), Half Harvest Season, 14 weeks, $322 ($23/wk), 4 week sessions, $96 ($24/wk). Betsy is organizing a list of half-shares (split a box with someone) and CSA subs (when full time members go on vacation). Contact betsy.tyler@gmail.com or 803-566-1771 & let her know if you're interested in sharing or subbing.

EVENTS UPDATE

June 5th "Town Funk" Block Party from 12 noon to 5pm -- has evolved into a pretty dynamic event. Make sure you drop by -- free food, BBQ, local artists & musicians...great music - a tribute to Michael Jackson for part of it...over on Park Street next to Woody's (across from The Parkway).

The events are great opportunities to get the word out about any of our other projects or other things each or all of us have going on. Let Betsy know if you want to see about announcing anything at any of these!

Remember to get involved and contact this group in any way you are able with your thoughts and needs and ideas and spread the word because it is working...stay awake, involved, strong and positive.

Much Friendship,

Sasha

TOWN FUNK BLOCK PARTY

TOWN FUNK BLOCK PARTY

Saturday, June 5, 1-5pm

SAVE THE DATE

The Lake Neighbors are scheming with local artists and musicians to host a block party on Park, behind Woody's. Save the date and stay in town for some neighborhood fun.

Count on: Serious love for Michael Jackson's music, Local artists and musicians, Free Food

Hope for: Scraper Bikes, Dancers, a Sing Along

upcoming mtgs and events

May 8th - Movie Nite! ReGen parking lot on 15th at 4th.

MAYth 11th(Tuesday 6:30pm)--Lake Neighbors Mtg @ Regen Church on the corner of 3rd Ave & E. 15th

JUNE 6th (Sunday 6:30pm)- Lake Neighbors Mtg...NEW LOCATION (formerly set to be at Jess & Rich’s) will be a BBQ on East 17th street between 3rd and 4th Avenues centered at Garden 17! More to be announced about this – the plan currently is to have a workday right there at Garden 17, but on the unlikely chance it is sold, this may change! This is just one block from Luckys.

JUNE 29th (Tuesday 6:30pm)--Lake Neighbors Mtg @ Regen Church on the corner of 3rd Ave & E. 15th

JULY 25th (Sunday 6:30pm) @ Hector & Sasha’s 1704 3rd Ave. at E.17th (right across from Lucky’s)

AUGUST 17th (Tuesday 6:30pm) – Lake Neighbors Mtg @ Regen Church on the corner of 3rd Ave & E. 15th

ITS MOVIE NIGHT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD!

TONIGHT'S MOVIE:

THE FANTASTIC MR FOX!

Join us for an open air movie tonight, Saturday May 8, at dark.

Bring your own chair and blanket.

Bring all your friends and meet new neighbors at the parking lot on the corner of E 15 and 3rd, across from Regeneration Church.

minimizing risk of home invasions

Hi Lake Neighbors...

I got an offer from a neighbor (Rachel B) to summarize suggestions she found for minimizing risk of home invasions on Cleveland Heights Neighborhood listserve and here it is below (Thank you, Rachel!).

These do happen around here at times (there have been several in the last year or so), this is not to create fear, but we do have to be aware. So, in the spirit of having our heads up and out of the sand and committed to making it safe and great here we also are doing SO much great positive stuff in the neighborhood which is a big part of it. Our 2010 kick-off outdoor movie went off last night without a hitch -- even though it was SUPER cold!!! -- people stuck it out and as it did last year I think the crowd will grow with each movie event. We will try this in about a month...stay tuned and make an effort to be there because it is a great way to meet eachother and it is really fun. Send movie suggestions. There are so many more things going on -- join in, check the website and also pitch your own ideas of things to make happen.

Okay...read below...


Subject: Recent Home Invasion on 600 Block of Athol Avenue


(Suggestions) Here they are....

Time: They want to move fast, so anything that slows them down (only locks keep honest men out). So search out weakness (non deadbolted doors, poorly secured windows), gates, etc. Make it tough for them to break in and then to find and remove what they might like.

Light: They don’t want to be seen. At night lights activated by photo-eye (activates when dark) on all sides of house - including porch and driveway, and timed lights insight house. As reported, it seems very typical that burglars want to get into the backyard where they are not seen, so this seems to be the most important are to double up defenses. Note: people broke into a house at night while owner gone by turning off power at circuit box, so make sure this is locked and secured as best as possible. Though a burglar could cut the lock, it will at least slow them down (Time) and make your house a less appealing target.

Noise: Alarms, etc. By making windows and doors tough to open, that leaves burglars with more drastic and more likely noise options for breaking in..busting doors, broken glass etc..

Don't rely on just one tactic for protecting your home but use layers of defense. By making burglars get past through hurdle after hurdle, you will at least slow them down and complicate their intended job.

And then combining all these redundant protections with great neighbors that keep an eye out for each others property, we have a fighting chance against burglary.

Don't leave tables, chairs, and ladders in your backyard. They can be used to access higher windows. Store them in your basement, garage, or tool shed.

Alarm System Signs might help too, even if you don't have an alarm. You can also buy realistic empty alarm boxes and mount them on your house to make it look like you do have an alarm system.

Put a deadbolt lock in one room or closet in your house, and put your valuables in there when you have workmen over to work in your house.

Put a Beware of Dog sign on front door (even if your dog is a mellow . Right before going to bed, put something in front of your doors on the inside; something that would make noise if the door banged into or something that a burglar would trip over. Always make sure there is a light on in the back of the house and front porch. Bring phone to bed, so can call 911 if you hear someone breaking in. Have pepper spray.

If you are a recent victim of residential burglary (forced or unforced entry) or home invasion robbery (indeed very rare but unnerving), you can get a free Security Inspection from Neighborhood Watch. Contact Brenda Ivey, bivey@oaklandnet. com, 238-3091
Or Eddie Simlin, esimlin@oaklandnet. com, 238-6200

emergency numbers to remember

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Oakland Police
Emergency: (510) 777-3211
Non-Emergency: (510) 777-3333

Greetings,

I live on the 600 block of Athol Avenue. My friend and neighbor across the street asked me to let everyone know what happened this morning. Two men with knives broke into her house while she and her 7 year old son were sleeping, around 5am. One of them held her while the other took her laptop, family jewelry, and bank card -- all right in front of her son.

They managed to get in through a tiny window on the side of the house which was cracked for air. An important fact to note is they broke in on the side of the house that is next to a house that the neighbors recently moved out of -- they knew that no one would hear them because the house next door was empty.

Please be more aware of keeping your windows closed at night and your doors always locked. Also, some people may not be aware that when calling from a cell phone, 911 gets routed to the CHP somewhere else. Remember to dial the following emergency number if using a cell phone: (510) 777-3211. You may want to program it into your cell phone.

It's okay to call the non-emergency line if you see something out of the ordinary. If you see something like a person just sitting in the driver's seat of a car that isn't one of your neighbors, that is a red flag. OPD's advice is always to be aware of your surroundings, say hello to your neighbors, know who lives on your block, and look out for each other.

Thanks and take care.