Shawnee Neighborhood Association

SNA Online Newsletter - November 2009

Shawnee High School Alumni to Hold Luncheon

The Shawnee High School Alumni Association invites you to attend a luncheon at River Bend Winery on Saturday, November 7.  The luncheon will be from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  Guest speakers include DeVone Holt, assistant to JCPS Superintendent, and Dr. Keith Look, principal at Shawnee High School.  Dr. Look will update the community on the progress of plans for The Academy @ Shawnee, a proposed phased-in K-12 local academy.

Tickets are $20 each.  For more information, contact Rudy Davidson at 778-3050 or Danita Mitchell at (812) 284-4600 or (812) 207-9550.  Please RSVP in order to reserve your ticket.

River Bend Winery is located at 120 S. 10^th Street.

Brightside Community Cleanup Scheduled for November 7

The Shawnee Neighborhood Association is making preparations again for its 4th consecutive community cleanup.  SNA typically helps in cleanup efforts on Market from 34th to Shawnee Park, and on Amy Avenue.  Neighborhood Watches are encouraged to participate in their own cleanups, or they can send some volunteers to help in the SNA cleanup.

If you are interested or have a question about the SNA cleanup, please contact Loueva Moss at 772-7851.  Thanks for keeping Shawnee clean!

Crime Updates

Recent conversations with members of LMPD’s 2^nd Division have revealed that while violent crime in Shawnee is consistently down, property crimes remain a concern.  A recent spike in break-ins has LMPD asking residents to be extra cautious.  Burglaries have been reported in Sector 1, Beat 1, which covers the area Broadway north to the river, and Shawnee Expressway west to the river.  This covers Shawnee in its entirety and part of Portland. 

Here are some things to know:

• LMPD is asking residents be sure to secure all windows and rear doors, including access to basements. 
• Be careful who comes into your house and sees what you have, and also be careful – especially with the holidays coming – about who knows what presents Santa brought.  Many times burglaries are committed by someone who knows you or your family and sees or knows what you have. 
• Did you get a new Wii, or X-Box?  Guitar Hero?  BE SURE, when you recycle your boxes, to take the time to break them down and turn them inside out – otherwise you’ll be advertising what’s inside your house.
• If you see a crime being committed, call police immediately!  Call your block watch captain next. 

Burglaries happen when criminals believe they’re not being watched or that nobody will report them.  If you don’t get involved, you could be next.  Then please hope your neighbors don’t feel the same way if it were YOUR house or car being burglarized.

Don’t be a victim!  Use caution and common sense to protect your home and your belongings. Protect yourself and your neighbors by being an active participant in your block watch, or start one today….don’t wait until something happens to YOU!

Legal Aid Seeks Volunteers for Foreclosure Assistance

It’s no secret that many homeowners are struggling with their mortgage payments, but there IS help available.  Doing nothing is the worst thing to do!

The Legal Aid Society is conducting an outreach program, going door to door of people who are in foreclosure in order to spread the word about the help that’s available – and they could use your help.  They send volunteers out on Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. to talk to individuals who qualify for assistance.  There is a mandatory 30-minute training at the Legal Aid office at 416 W. Muhammad Ali, Suite 300.

If you are interested in helping, call Angela Nolden at 614-3182 or by e-mail at anolden@laslou.org.  Thank you for your generosity!

Shawnee Fall Celebration of Community Delights All

Apparently, chainsaw sculptor James Taylor was a big hit.  Have you seen the 8-foot tree sculpture he did?  It’s hard to miss – on Amy Avenue across from French Plaza.  If you’re curious about what it is, be sure to check back in to the website next week for a photo.

Many people attended the October 17 festival, enjoying the beautiful fall day and watching dancers, playing bingo or trying their hand at cornhole.  There were medical screenings for adults, and inflatables for the kids – something for everybody!