Foster Park Little League Baseball Registration in February

Can you believe it’s time to start thinking about baseball?  Here’s a PSF (public service forward):

What:  Foster Park Little League Registration (softball and baseball for all ages – T-ball through big leagues)

When:  Saturday, February 11  AND Saturday, February 18  9:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. both days

What to Bring:  Your child’s birth certificate and proof of residence (utility bill, driver license, etc.) and cash, check or visa/MC for payment

Where:  The Summit (formerly Taylor University) Eicher Commons Building  915 West Rudisill Boulevard, Fort Wayne, IN 46807

Contact: If you have questions or need more information contact Eric Shroyer, FPLL President  937-673-3595 or visit the Foster Park Little League website at http://www.fosterparklittleleague.com/

Fort Wayne Police Department to Offer Crime Prevention Seminars

Here’s a message from the Fort Wayne Police Department about crime prevention seminars that they will offer:

In an effort to increase our department’s community policing crime prevention outreach, the Fort Wayne Police Department will be offering monthly seminars at the Public Safety Academy .  These sessions, which will be open to area businesses and residents, will provide members of our community with valuable information which will help reduce their chances of becoming crime victims.

The seminars will include Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (“CPTED”) information, as well as preventative measures which can be taken to avoid becoming a victim of robbery, financial fraud, motor vehicle theft, burglary, and scam artists. The interrelationship between crime prevention, community oriented policing and problem-solving policing will also be a component of the seminar.

These seminars will be free to the public, and will be held the third Wednesday of every month from 7:00—8:00 pm at the Public Safety Academy , with the first session to begin MARCH 21, 2012.

For  more information, visit the Crime Prevention link via the department’s web page or contact the Crime Prevention -Bureau at 260 427-1207.

Blackout

Consider how much this website has contributed to ideas and communication in our neighborhood.  The same goes for our neighborhood Facebook group.

If the current PIPA and SOPA bills were passed by Congress, this group might become a thing of the past.  Rather than blackout our sites, I’ll just recommend that you check out the following link and take action if you agree.  Better yet, do your own research into the subject.

https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/

— Steve McCord

A Reminder to Talk to Your Kids About Talking to Strangers and Salesmen (UPDATED 1.19.12)

If you’re a member of the Southwood Park Facebook group, you’ve read some posts about a suspicious man over the weekend.  It is a reminder that we should all speak to our children about using caution around strangers passing through.

I just spoke with our FWPD Liaison Officer, Rick Brummett about the two incidents involving a strange man speaking to, or watching kids.

One was Saturday, January 7th, and one was Sunday, January 8th – both near Indiana-Prange-Sherwood in the early afternoon. Both calls had units respond, but the person of interest wasn’t found. A white man, one was described as  30s, the other 20s. Both had knit caps, and green or dark sweatshirts. Saturday was described as the man giving money to kids. Sunday, possibly asking kids for money.

A photo of the suspect, taken on that Saturday by a concerned adult as the suspect was confronted by a parent, is included on the left.  It’s a small photo, but it will help you get an idea.

Captain Haffner of FWPD has messaged patrols to pay extra attention looking for this character. Officer Brumett will also message patrols and speak to our security patrol folks at APS at the first opportunity. I will e-mail them ASAP now that I have more complete information.

If you notice someone acting suspiciously, please call FWPD at 427-1222 or 911.

UPDATED: The Board discussed this issue at last night’s meeting. Based on observations of other people in the neighborhood, there was at least one man on Saturday walking the neighborhood as a “replacement window” estimator. He wasn’t carrying ID, clipboard, or carrying brochures. He was wearing a sweatshirt with an unknown corporate logo.

Don’t deal with unknown salesmen without visible ID!  Since a person could buy such a used sweatshirt secondhand, please phone police (427-1222 or 911) after you’ve observed a suspicious window salesman. It could be someone “casing” the neighborhood.

— Steve McCord

New Directors to be Seated at the First Board Meeting of 2012

Our first Board Meeting of 2012 will take place 7PM Wednesday, January 11th at the Friendly Fox Meeting Room.

Residents are welcome to attend.  The usual Open Forum for Residents’ Concerns will follow the introduction and seating of new Directors on the board, and the election of 2012 officers.

Thank you to all of the candidates who were willing to run for the Board.  Your willingness to step forward is very much appreciated!   Winners of the election include veterans Andrew Boxberger and Charles Northrop.  Beginning their first terms are Brittney Collins, Diane Dickson, and Blaise Moore.  Congratulations!

Lecture to Answer Questions about Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits

You probably knew that Historic Southwood Park, Historic Fairmont, and many properties in the defunct “Old Mill Association” are grouped together in the Southwood Park Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

But did you know that being a listed district qualifies residential and commercial properties in our neighborhood for federal and state Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits?  It does!  Visit http://www.in.gov/dnr/historic/2814.htm for more Indiana information.  Read it and decide if your potential project might be eligible.

ARCH will hold a lecture on Saturday, January 28th to discuss these tax credits and answer questions. Here is a flier for the event:

 

 

—Steve McCord

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – A Roundabout Fractured Poem

At 10:45 pm on December 24th, a drunk and distracted driver hit the roundabout and was stopped by one of the three remaining original trees.  No one was hurt and all the lights stayed on, but the tree and some shrubs are likely losses.

The good news is that the Street Department has committed to adding permanent markings to the roundabout’s curb and surrounding roadway in the spring.  The Roundabout has had one accident per year since 2005 that warranted a police report.

Also, the Parks Department is considering a landscape redo.

In the aftermath of the accident, two board members and Chad Tinkel (our favorite city forester) composed this following fractured poem:

‘Twas the night before Christmas

And all round the ‘Bout
The police were stirring
After a drunk knocked a tree out!
When out on the circle arose such a clatter

Pat ran down to Old Mill to see what was the matter

And what to her wondering eyes did appear was the city forester!  

And a new tree did appear

And I heard her exclaim as the car was towed out of sight

Merry Christmas to all and to all what a sight!

South Side H.S. Participating in a Food Drive

Here’s a “forward” from a neighbor about a food drive:

South Side High School is taking part in a contest among four of the FWCS high schools to collect nonperishable food items to feed families in Fort Wayne . Our goal is to collect enough to feed 2,000 families. The collection is taking place until 12/14.

As of today (12/1), South is in 4th place—last. However, we are pulling out the stops to collect food for our neighbors in need.   Students are walking in groups around the neighborhoods to collect food, so if they knock at your door, please help them out.

I was also thinking that if anyone in the neighborhood would like to contribute but do not know an Archer student or employee, they could drop their donations off at the main office from 8-4 (although school releases at 2:35, so the parking lot is a little hectic for about 15 minutes at that time).

It would be great if you could spread the word for us.

Thank you!
Sincerely,
Marianne Deitche

English Department, South Side High School
and Southwood Park resident (1964-1986; 1998-present)

Oakdale Neighborhood Association is Selling Christmas Trees

Are you going to buy a real Christmas tree this year?  Consider keeping your money in the neighborhood by purchasing a tree from the Oakdale Neighborhood Association.

This fundraiser/sale helps keep their active association running.

Most of their trees are Indiana grown and sell for $35.  The Oakdale tree lot is in front of Shultz Hall at the corner of South Wayne Avenue and Rudisill Boulevard, so you can spend less time driving to pick out a tree and more time decorating!

Even Thieves Are Shopping

Even thieves are shopping.

We’ve heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but let’s remember to take some precautions and keep any “Thief Thursdays” from happening to you or your neighbors.

The crime reports from our FWPD Liaison Officer Ricky Brumett have been fairly quiet this fall, as have our reports from the neighborhood security patrol, Allen Protection Services. But there is usually an uptick in thefts as the holidays approach.

Here are a couple tips to keep in mind:

• Keep your vehicles locked.
• Don’t keep valuables in your car, especially purses and electronics (and the tell-tale cords that go with them).
• Unless you park in the garage, don’t keep your garage door opener in the car, especially if you have an attached garage.
• Keep an eye on your neighbors.
• Report all suspicious activity and bumps in the night to 911 or the FWPD Desk Sergeant, 427-1222.
• Report burned-out street and alley lights to the City Call Center – 311. Give them the address and pole number. Or do it online at: http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/311.html
• Your dues help pay for a preventative neighborhood security patrol, and Allen Protection Services provides free home vacation checks. Please take advantage of this service by calling 747-7700, tell them you live in this association and want to schedule vacation check days.
• Please keep your porch lights on and use light timers.

Have a safe and happy holiday season!