Historical April–May 2000 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Once again, residents of the Skin ker DeBaliviere neighborhood turned out to clean alleys, backyards and vacant lots of accumulated trash and debris as part of the Citywide cleanup known as BrightSide Blitz Day. April 1 saw groups of residents working in their alleys, and others cleaning and clearing vacant lots and other properties. Festivities at Four Corners Park included distribution of trash bags and the loan of tools for those who were working in the alleys, an opportunity to register to win home safety products including smoke alarms and fire extinguishers provided by Ken Barge, the representative of Liberty Mutual insurance who has recently relocated in the area, and a noon-time party of grilled hot dogs and soda provided to all our hard workers.
This year, Operation BrightSide and the city’s Refuse Division split cleanup activities and beautification. Flower planting, mulching, seeding, etc. will take place on May 6, a much safer time for planting fragile annuals and perennials vulnerable to late frost if planted on April 1. Free grass seed (for covering bare spots) and mulch will be distributed from Four Corners Park on May 6th. Block captains will be able to pick up their flower orders for planting in public areas (tree lawns, pocket parks, barricade planters, alley right of ways, etc.) And the Third Annual Neighborhood Flower Exchange will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Four Corners Park. Take this opportunity to thin out perennial plants and swap with your neighbors. Nothing to trade? Come by and browse – – – supplies permitting, you may find something you have searched for to plant in your garden – – – and you are welcome to help yourself.
In years past we have swapped hostas, daisies, day lilies, lambs ears, mint, oregano, purple cornflower and many other varieties of plants. Beautification Committee Chairman Andy Cross shared his talents with the community by conducting a minifundraiser. Andy produced hand-lettered alley signs for installation by property owners to make street numbers visible from the alleys. For $10.00, property owners can purchase a hand made cedar plaque created by Chairman Andy Cross. Properly identified homes enhance the safety and security of the entire community, permitting police and firefighters to more quickly respond when their help is needed. Additionally, the numbering is required by City ordinance, and will be one of the items cited by the Building Inspectors when our Code Enforcement project gets underway next spring.
If you were one of those who meant to send in your check and order your sign, and have not yet gotten around to completing the forms, never fear! Andy has agreed to continue producing the signs until May 15th.
A sample sign can be viewed in the window of the Skin ker DeBaliviere Community Council Office, 6008 Kingsbury.
If you have lost your order form, please call the Council office at 862-5122 or stop by to pick up another.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April–May 2000.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2000_04.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
