You're probably all wondering what happened to me. No posts since late July? Well, I'm going to make up for some lost time now, so hold on to your hats...
Over THREE months ago, on August 3rd, people across the country celebrated National Night Out. The event is a nation-wide effort to strengthen community-police relationships and reduce crime. Some communities have the support of large companies like Target who host a party in a city park, but most communities rely on neighbors who organize small block parties in their streets. Some people roll out their grills, others brings dishes to share...the police and fire departments stop by to visit...and families have a chance to really get to know each other.
While the larger neighborhood that we live in is very old, the Central Station community is new. In fact, Ironhorse just started leasing in early 2010, so this was the first summer we had some real critical mass. With 450+ new residents, it seemed the perfect time to get some energy around National Night Out.
With help from the other two properties of Central Station, we formed a planning committee and work began. We reached out to businesses in the neighborhood as well as other important players in the community to create a super cool event that included an incredible aerial performance by Trapeze Arts, a local DJ, a catered grilled chicken dinner, fresh fruit from Mandela Foods Cooperative for dessert, beer/wine garden for the adults, a bouncy house & face painting for the kids, a recycling info center from Waste Management, a visit from our local fire station and a bicycle visit from City Slicker Farms to hand out plant starts!
Oh, yeah and I was interviewed by a local radio station about the event...listen here to part of that interview on KPFA.
For me, this night was one of my proudest moments of 2010. We're confident there were over 300 people in attendance and the interactions between neighbors was inspiring to watch. I hope the positive energy generated will continue to power our community into 2011 and beyond.
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