Historical September–October 2023 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
I was going to start this article with ‘the seasons they are a’changin’ but the record-breaking heat seems to disagree. Regardless of the temps, the fall brings to our neighborhood a new group of students and renters. Summer vacations have been replaced with fall school and family activities.
I am looking forward to porch sitting season when it is not too hot to sit outside and talk to our neighbors a sip a cocktail. Having said that, this is not a time that we can check out.
The Vatican is still in the process of addressing the appeal of closing St. Roch Parish. (To clarify that does not mean that they are closing the church. Somehow, they feel that leaving a big empty church with no parishioners is different than closing the building).
In addition, we still have absentee landlords buying up single family homes and turning them into overcrowded rentals or short-term rentals that destabilizes the neighborhood, reduces the number of long-term owner-occupied invested homeowners, and reduces the housing stock driving up affordable housing.
However, we have committed SDCC committee members working on great activities for our neighbors, Porchfest, garden tours, yard sales, and concerts. Other committee members are developing a dog park to add a new and valued amenity to our neighborhood.
Another neighbor has invested in a senior living development to help our neighbors be able to stay in the neighborhood as they age.
We have block captains who volunteer their time to ensure that their blocks are informed of activities and meetings in the neighborhood.
We also have friends that come together to have monthly pizza nights and annual block parties.
We have volunteers who keep all the plantings in the neighborhood alive and beautiful, even if they are on city property.
We have other volunteers that are running two neighborhood community gardens – a rare treat in an urban setting.
The point is every neighborhood faces challenges. What we do to face those challenges makes all the difference. Andy and I were so lucky to find a house in this neighborhood with a long rich history of activism and commitment.
A neighborhood where the homeowners are invested, kind, interesting, and interested.
I welcome the new batch of neighbors who will be with us for the year or for longer.
I hope that you enjoy your new place and participate in the things that make this place so special.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September–October 2023.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Printed neighbors a sip a cocktail retained.
Original source: SD_Times2023_09.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.
