Sherwood Forest

June 2003

Jun 11, 2003

AN EVENING TO REMEMBER

The Historic Designation Celebration on June 5 at the Detroit Historical Museum was an evening that those who attended will long remember. 200 Sherwood Forest residents and guests celebrated our history, our present and our future.

The museum was ours for the evening, and we enjoyed viewing its various exhibits, including DETROIT CONNECTIONS. To the sounds of music, a wonderful supper prepared by one of Detroit's great restaurants, Opus One, was served in the Streets of Old Detroit. The Streets were festooned with photographs of Sherwood Forest taken especially for the occasion. Following the supper, Sherwood Forest Association Vice-President Michele Davis chaired a short program at which Linda Jones traced the history of our quest to become an historic district. Following Linda's remarks, Dr. Dennis Zembala, Director of the Detroit Historical Museums, spoke on "Sherwood Forest and Detroit in the Twentieth Century." Llenda Jackson Leslie read from the poetry of her father, Murray Jackson, a beloved past president of the Sherwood Forest Association.

One of the highlights of the evening was the opportunity for residents past and present to share remembrances of life in Sherwood Forest. Although space does not permit us to repeat those wonderful remarks here, affection for Sherwood Forest and a deep appreciation for the role of this community in their lives was a theme that echoed through the remarks of all the speakers.
The program portion of the evening was videotaped, and the videotape will be placed in the permanent archives of the Detroit Historical Museum.

While it is impossible to thank all the people who worked so hard to make our celebration a success, special thanks must go to Michele Davis, Linda Jones, Sandra Ham, Sue McMillan, Gordon Rodwan, Al Greene, Catherine Mayberry, Evelyn Sims, Florence Gantz and, especially, our association's president, Lois Primas. On June 5, Lois was forced to send her greetings from home, where she is recovering from surgery. Her leadership is a part of all of Sherwood Forest's successes, including this wonderful celebration.

Any resident whose interest in the Detroit Historical Museum was peaked on June 5 can get information about membership by calling (313) 833-1805 or by logging on to the museum's website at www.detroithistorical.org.

MAYOR ADDRESSES RESIDENTS AT MAY 13 ANNUAL MEETING

Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick was the guest speaker at our general membership meeting at All Saints Church on May 13. In brief prepared remarks, the Mayor reminded us that there is much good news in our city:

?· Overall crime is down, including a 32% reduction in homicides last year.

?· Last year, as a part of the ongoing Motor City Makeover campaign,
25,000 volunteers removed more than 11,000 tons of debris from our neighborhoods.

?· Compuware is about to open downtown.

?· A $2 billion east riverfront development is in the works, with $500 already raised.

The Mayor spent the bulk of his time at our meeting taking questions from residents. There were questions on the future of the Detroit Medical Center, the impact of high property taxes, the need for more efficient trash pick-up (see article below), and the problems of our antiquated and unreliable street lighting system. The Mayor was forthright in saying that he did not have all the answers to the many complex problems we confront as a city, and he urged our participation in finding answers.

The meeting included a special tribute to Carl Hardin for his many contributions to Sherwood Forest, on the occasion of his retirement from our board of directors.

The business meeting portion of the evening was preceded by a delicious potluck supper. Our residents know how to cook! Special thanks for their work on the potluck supper go to Florence Gantz, Catherine Mayberry, Carrie Simmons, Irma and Roosevelt Wise.


NEW FORUM FOR ADDRESSING
QUESTIONS TO THE MAYOR

Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick will begin publishing the Mayor's Monthly Column. This column is an attempt to learn from the citizens and help the administration to address the needs of the citizens. The column can be accessed through the Sherwood Forest web site. Send your question or comment to:
Mayor's Monthly Column
Communications and Creative Services Department
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Avenue, Suite 608
Detroit, MI 48226

If you prefer, send an e-mail message to: jlong@po1.ci.detroit.mi.us.



OUR BULK COLLECTION DATE
IS ABOUT TO CHANGE

In an effort to keep our city cleaner and make trash collection more efficient, the Department of Public Works (DPW) has devised a new citywide plan for refuse and bulk collection. The new plan will take effect on June 30, 2003. There will be no change in our regular trash pick-up day. As now, it will be on Thursdays. Our bulk pick-up day will change to the fourth Monday of every month. This means that in July bulk will not be collected until the 28th of the month. Remember that if any one of the following holidays falls on the last Monday of the month, bulk pick-up will be on Tuesday instead of Monday: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. If any one of these holidays is on or before our regular Thursday trash day, trash will be picked up on Friday that week.
Every resident is supposed to receive written notice of these changes sometime before the end of the month. If you have questions, you can call the DPW's new Service Change Hotline at (313) 870-5100.


COURVILLE CONTAINER SERVICES

There is a $20 fee for replacement or repair of a courville refuse container. If you need a new wheel, lid, handle, or an entire container, call the DPW Assistance Center at (313) 870-5100.

If your courville container is stolen, you must file a report with the Police Non-Emergency Reporting Section at (313) 267-4600. You will be assigned a police report number. Then call the Assistance Center at (313) 870-5100 to request a replacement. You will be asked for you police report number when recording your request. Each container has a serial number associated with an address to facilitate recovery of stolen containers.

Please remember to bag all refuse placed in your container. Do not place yard waste, ashes or large bulky items in your container. Wash out your container frequently to maintain cleanliness.

GESU SCHOOL BLOOD DRIVE

Gesu School is having a community blood drive on Sunday, July 27, 2003, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gesu School Social Hall. For information, call the Gesu Church Rectory at (313) 862-4400.


DETROIT HEALTH DEPARTMENT ISSUES
ALERT ON WEST NILE VIRUS

The Detroit Health Department (DHD) encourages Detroit residents to act now to reduce mosquito breeding grounds. Mosquitoes can transmit West Nile Virus (WNV) to humans and animals, and the virus can cause encephalitis or meningitis.

Mosquito larvae require water to develop, and residents should remove all standing water on and near their property. Measures we can take to control the mosquito populations include:

?· Removing long grasses and weeds that provide resting areas for mosquitoes

?· Making sure window and door screens are tight and that windows, doors and other openings are in good repair

?· Stocking ponds or fountains with fish that eat mosquito larvae

?· Changing water in birdbaths, wading pools and flowerpot saucers every few days

?· Making sure there are no leaks or puddles near faucets and air conditioners

?· Ensuring gutters drain properly and removing standing water from structures or flat roofs

?· Removing all items that collect water, such as tires, buckets, etc.

Continue to report dead and dying crows, blackbirds or blue jays, species heavily affected by WNV. The DHD may collect some specimens; the rest should be discarded. Ensure adequate ventilation before approaching dead birds, and wear heavy gloves to pick them up. Dead birds should be tightly double-bagged in plastic and discarded. Call the DHD West Nile Virus Hotline at (313) 876-4516 or the Michigan Department of Community Health West Nile Virus toll-free hotline at (888) 668-0869.


DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT
LAUNCHES "OPERATION SAFE PARKS"

From May 1 through September 30, the Detroit Police Department is targeting city parks to ensure that residents have safe, summertime fun. Officers will provide a regular presence in all parks and show zero tolerance for loud music, loitering, littering, illegally parked vehicles, drinking, drugs and gambling.

Belle Isle, Detroit's largest park, will get 20 additional police officers during the period of "Operation Safe Parks." To prevent traffic congestion, motorcycle officers will patrol the Jefferson Avenue corridor between downtown and Belle Isle, Fridays through Sundays.


SHERWOOD FOREST BUSINESS DIRECTORY

With this edition of the Tattler, we begin our new neighborhood business directory. Residents have suggested that they would like to have a list Sherwood Forest business owners and professionals. There is no charge for inclusion on this list. The only requirements are that you be a resident of Sherwood Forest and a member in good standing of both the Sherwood Forest Association and the Sherwood Forest Patrol.

Unlike the "This Old House" list, this new list does not require a recommendation from a satisfied user of the service or business. The Sherwood Forest Association does NOT endorse any service or business that appears on the list. It is simply a listing of neighbors who want to make other neighbors aware of the services they provide or the businesses they own and who support this community through membership in the Association and the Patrol.
We are starting small, but we know the list will grow rapidly. If you would like to have your business included, call Gail Rodwan at 342-5827 or e-mail her at Rodwan@sbcglobal.net. This business directory appears as a separate list online at www.neighborhoodlink.com/detroit/swoodforest.


SHERWOOD FOREST BUSINESS DIRECTORY

BEAUTY SALON

Paula Hardin-Sellers (313) 342-4403

CHIROPRACTIC

Rosemond Chiropractic Health Center
Luther ("Skip") Rosemond, D.C.
(Chiropractic Physician)
Barbara Rosemond, B.A., L.M.T.
(Licensed Massage Therapist)
17701 Schoolcraft
Detroit, MI 48277
(313) 837-9355

DENTIST

Dr. Carlos M. Jones, D.D.S.
Family Dental Center
14807 W. McNichols
(across from Sinai-Grace Hospital)
Detroit, MI 48235
(313) 493-0110


MUSICIAN

Brassworks Entertainment
A professional music management company to provide Detroit area entertainment for your special occasion. Brass ensembles, solo performers, orchestras, vocalists, string quartets, woodwind quintets.
(313) 342-1939

READING YOUR TATTLER ONLINE

If we do not have your e-mail address, and you would like to subscribe to the electronic Tattler, please let me know right away. If you change your e-mail address, let me know at rodwan@sbcglobal.net. Join the fun and become an electronic reader of your favorite neighborhood newsletter. And don't forget to read our neighborhood web page at www.neighborhoodlink.com/detroit/swoodforest. The web page "This Old House" list has just been updated.

Gail Rodwan


FIRST NEIGHBORHOOD-WIDE GARAGE SALE TO BE HELD ON JUNE 28

The first Sherwood Forest Community Garage Sale will be held on Saturday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Although this will be a coordinated sale, each participating resident will sell items in his or her own yard. At the end of the afternoon, the Salvation Army will be available to pick up unsold items and provide tax-deductible receipts for the donations. If you want to participate, call Sarah Peslar at (313) 341-2490 no later than June 19. A nominal fee for joint advertising will be collected on the day of the sale.