Oakdale Neighborhood Association

ACORN - ONA Membership Renewal Time

Feb 06, 2006

PRESIDENT?’S MESSAGE
by Kim Childress, President, Oakdale Neighborhood Association

IT IS MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL TIME!! SEE THE BACK FOR A MEMBERSHIP FORM AND DUES.


The ONA Board got off to a fast and furious start with the new year. We have several meetings scheduled with city officials and private companies as we all work towards a safer, stronger, more livable Oakdale.

Mike Mudd (VP of ONA) and I met with Carl Malysz, Deputy Director of Louisville Metro Housing and Community Development, regarding the ?“revitalization?” of Oakdale. Our meeting was great! Mike and I both left feeling very positive about the changes about to occur in Oakdale. Although they will not happen fast enough (because change always seems to come about slowly), change is happening! We discussed homeownership programs, Wyandotte Park (Mike?’s pet project), property code violations, plus much more. Joe Hamilton from Carl?’s office is scheduled to appear at our next meeting to discuss the process and kick off the official planning.

We have many visitors scheduled to speak at our meeting on Feb. 7:
- Joe Hamilton-Louisville Metro Housing and Community Development;
- Both the Democratic and Replication candidates for our Senate race have been invited to speak for about 3 to 5 minutes;
- A representative from Beef O?’Bradys;
- The owner of a new business that has moved into the vacant space on Berry Blvd (across from Jay?’s Auto Sales) who will stop by to tell us all about it; and
- An officer from the gang unit to discuss signs of gang activity.

If they all show up, we are going to have e very busy night!

With the New Year comes time to renew all of our memberships. I hope that you will take the opportunity at our next meeting on Tuesday, February 7th to renew yours, and please bring a neighbor to the February meeting. The more residents who are involved, the stronger Oakdale?’s voice will be.

Also, please mark your calendar for April ?– we will be having candidate?’s night and this is a big year coming up ?– we will elect a school board representative and a metro council representative. I have arranged for St. James UCC Church to provide transportation to the polls in November. I will have sign up sheet at our meeting in Feb and thereafter - if you or a neighbor will need a ride, please sign up.

I have an update on Central Station. Unfortunately the developer is having a hard time filling the retail space. And due to that fact, they are allowing a check cashing business to lease space. By the printing of this newsletter I will have a written letter expressing my displeasure with this type of establishment ?– if you are so inclined ?– please send a letter to: Theresa McGarry, Leasing Representative, Faulkner Hinton Association, 9625 Ormsby Station Road, Louisville, KY 40223. As we work hard towards improving Oakdale this is NOT the kind of retail establishment we are looking for or needing.

MARY?’S MUSINGS: New Beginnings
by Mary Trabue

This is our first Acorn of 2006. So much has transpired around us since 2005 ended. As I thought about this article, I struggled with where to begin?

Let's turn over a new leaf. Since I like to feel free to think, believe, and (within the law) do as I see fit, let's take up the GOLDEN RULE as our New Year's Resolution. Do you know that all major peoples of the world have a version of the Golden Rule? Back in the late 50's or early 60's, I received a Poster Copy of the Golden Rules -- that is, each society's version -- Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, Oriental, Indian, Native American.



What is the Golden Rule? "DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE OTHERS DO UNTO YOU." As my mother used to say to us, "Your freedom ends, where someone else's nose begins."

My second thought for the month is to encourage you to take part in our political process. As you know, we in the 37th District have been without a voice in the KY Senate for a year. Seek out where Mr. Clark, the Democratic candidate, and Ms. Peden, the Republican candidate, stand on issues near and dear to your heart -- KY laws, how tax money is spent, health, education, and those things YOU consider important. Then on February 14, go to the polls for this Special Called Election for the 37th District Senate Seat and VOTE!

May the New Year see a new beginning of caring for one another!

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH (Formerly Block Watch) NEWS
by Maury Weedman, Co-Chair, ONA Block Watch Committee

The effort to continue organizing Neighborhood Watches in Oakdale continues. On Thursday, January 26 a joint meeting was held which consisted of the group centered around the 800 block of Beecher and folks from a new effort to organize Dresden and Sale between Warren and Taylor Blvd.

Our Liaison Officer Andrea Brown, Kim Childress, Mike Mudd, and Greg Yates spoke to the group as a whole. After the main meeting Greg met with the folks from Sale and Dresden to initiate the organization of their group.

From the meeting it is obvious that our effort will continue to grow, but it was also obvious that there continue to be serious problems in the neighborhood. A serious spike in home and car break-ins is disturbing. Denmark Grocery and Deli were robbed. Dangerous dogs present a serious challenge throughout the neighborhood and drug related activity is on the rise again. There have also been crimes involving fire arms.

It is imperative that all of us step up to the plate and join the organizational effort to rid our neighborhood of crime. Please be proactive. Our Liaison Officer Andrea Brown advises us to call when we observe crime or any activity that even suggests crime. Call 911 for emergencies, 574-7111 for non-emergencies and 574-LMPD to pass tips along to Metro-Louisville Police. Officer Brown informed us that the detective work we do saves the police a lot of time and leads to the arrest of many perpetrators in the neighborhood. Making repeated calls will not relegate us to the ranks of cranks. Our calls are wanted.

The Neighborhood Watch (Block Watch) Committee of the Oakdale Neighborhood Association has changed it?’s approach to organizing Neighborhood Watches. We have arranged to use the Gym at the Salvation Army in Wyandotte Park the last Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM for joint meetings of all Neighborhood Watch Groups. We would like all groups to attend at the same time. After a general meeting we will break up into individual groups where each Captain can facilitate each group?’s business. We feel that this method is better for the following reasons:
1. Larger groups create a festive and positive atmosphere ?– we feel our power.
2. Only one meeting place has to be scheduled ?– and it already is for the foreseeable future.
3. Members from across all of Oakdale get to know each other and share information more efficiently.
4. Those without an established Neighborhood Watch on their blocks may join the process anyhow.
5. Captains who are not comfortable making or arranging presentations won?’t have to.
6. The work load for our Liaison Officer Andrea Brown is reduced which is key as her duties have recently doubled.
7. We will not wear out speakers and neighborhood churches with too many meetings.

Please come to the Salvation Army in Wyandotte Park on Thursday, February 23rd at 6:00 PM for our first combined meeting. Join in the Spring offensive to report crime. Be a good witness, but do not put yourselves at risk. Connect with your neighbors and create bonds of mutual protection. Volunteer to help organize new groups. Call Maury at 592-6803 or email me at oakdaleky@aol.com.

NEW OAKDALE WEBSITE BEING CREATED
Slowly an Oakdale website is being created. You may view it now, but please realize that it is not a finished product. Take a look . Go to all the links and if you find an unfinished area of the site you would like to help with please email Maury at oakdaleky@aol.com. We need your help with taking digital pictures, writing, ideas...you name it. The address is http://members.aol.com/oakdaleky.

LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT CRIME PREVENTION STRATEGIES
Tip Line
We need your help. In the past, police officers responded to crimes after they had already been committed. Now we want your help in preventing crimes before they occur. We need everyone in our community to take an active role in learning how to stop a crime before it happens. One way you can take an active role in solving and preventing crime is by using the Metro Police?’s tip line, 574-LMPD.

Home Inventory
The new year is a good time to update or create your home inventory. Take photos or make videos of items, and list descriptions and serial numbers. If your home is burglarized, having a detailed inventory can help identify stolen items and make insurance claims easier to file. Make sure items like TV?’s, DVD players, cameras, camcorders, jewelry, silver, computers and power tools are on the list. Remember to check it twice.

International Citizen?’s Police Academy
The purpose of this 12-week course is to educate the public about the police services delivered by the Louisville Metro Police Department in order to foster understanding and community support for the department. This class is repeated in September. FREE.
Feb. 15, 2006 ?– May 10, 2006
Contact: LMPD Officer Minerva Virola
Phone: (502) 574-8845 or
Email: Minerva. Virola@lmpd.loukymetro.org


OFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE WEBSITE TO SHOW VOTES CAST BY STATE LAWMAKERS
Kentuckians will be able to go to website of the Kentucky General Assembly www.lrc.ky.gov to see how each state lawmaker votes on bills under consideration in the state Senate and House of Representatives. Visitors to the Web site can also learn what time legislative meetings and chamber proceedings start each day by viewing the online Legislative Calendar, as well as find information on all of Kentucky?’s state senators and representatives, including phone numbers, mail and e-mail contact info, and committee assignments.


UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, Feb. 7 -- ONA Meeting, 7 p.m., Southside Baptist Church, 804 Camden Ave.
Tuesday, Feb. 14 - Special Senate Election for 37th District
Thursday, Feb. 23 - Neighborhood Watch meeting, 6 p.m., Salvation Army, Wyandotte Park
Friday, March 3 - Church Women United World Day of Prayer for African Aids Victims, St. James United Church of Christ, 3535 Taylor Blvd., 10:30 a.m. (registration), 11 a.m. (service), with luncheon to follow, sponsored by area churches. Bring non-perishable foods for Dare to Care.


OAKDALE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
Annual Dues: $2 Individual; $4 Family; $7 Business. Send to Mary Jane Sermersheim, 1000 Berry Blvd, 40215, or pay at meeting.
Name __________________________________________________
Address__________________________________________
Zip______
Phone ___________________e-mail:____________________________
Number in Family___________Amount enclosed _______

The Acorn is a bi-monthly publication of the
OAKDALE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, INC.
3175 S. 2nd Street #330
Louisville, KY 40208
THANKS to our Advertisers and Business Members.
Neighbors, please support them!!


W.W.E. WRESTLING - Pay-Per-View
Pioneer Hall - Most Blessed Sacrament Church
Taylor and Berry Blvds. - Admission $5
Theater Sound - Theater Screen - Doors Open 6 p.m.
ROYAL RUMBLE - Jan. 29
NO WAY OUT - Feb. 19
WRESTLE MANIA - April 2
Beer, Hot Wings & Other Concessions
For more info call 363-5558 or 366-4482

BINGO
Most Blessed Sacrament Pioneer Hall
Every Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., Doors open at 6 p.m.
Games $120 - Progressive Cover-All $1,000. If not won in 50 numbers, game is played out for $500. Numbers to win increase by 1 each week until the $1,000 is won. Then it starts
all over again. License No. 02034
For more info call 361-0149.

UPS - Bringing Great Jobs to You!
At UPS your future can really take off. We offer a competitive salary, great benefits, and an education, too. Metropolitan College Program* - 100% tuition paid, money for books &
housing. Earn & Learn Program* - Money for tuition and books. Call our jobline M-F, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., 359-1877,
24-hour jobline 888-877-9675, TTY 359-1864.
Affirmative Action Employer
* Must meet program guidelines. Designated shifts.

Central Station
Kids Eat FREE - Tuesday's, 4 - 8 p.m. (1 child per adult)
Happy Hour, M-F, 4 - 7 p.m. 35 - Wings & 99 - Draft
U of L and U of K Game Days - Beer Specials
(502) 637-3737

Longino's Restaurant
1506 Berry Blvd.
361-9153
Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Tuesday - Saturday, 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sunday, 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Family Owned & Operated since 1961.

IROQUOIS BRANCH LIBRARY PROGRAMS
(This is just a sampling of programs. For a full schedule, call the Iroquois Branch Library, 601 W. Woodlawn, at 574-1720.)
Programs for Adults
Sleep Tight, Sleep Right -- Wednesday, Feb. 8, 6:30 p.m.
Preventing Diabetes -- Wednesday, Feb. 15, 6 p.m.
Cultural Showcase: Liberia -- Saturday, Feb. 18, 1 p.m.
Lost Boys of Sudan Documentary -- Wednesday, Feb. 22, 6 p.m.
Spanish English Bilingual Cafe -- Every Saturday, 3 p.m.
Young Adult Programs
Anime in the Afternoon -- Thursday, Feb. 9, 4 p.m.
Teen craft -- Monday, Feb. 20, 2 p.m.
Children's Program
Valentine?’s Cards -- Thursday, Feb. 9, 4 p.m.
Computer Classes
?• Computer Basics -- Feb. 6 & 22, 10:30 a.m.
?• Windows Basics -- Feb. 7 & 27, 10:30 a.m.
?• Internet Basics -- Feb. 8, 2 p.m.