Fall Notes

Two recent suggestions have come to me that I wanted to share because I think they're good ideas. One is to do a "neighborhood clean-up day" each fall and spring where we each take time to spruce up our yards and landscaping. Many of our neighbors take good care of their property, but some of us (myself included) are guilty of letting weeds grow or putting off mending a fence etc. I think this is a good way to encourage neighborhood beautification, which benefits us all.

The second suggestion is around improvements to the Crosby Drive and Man-O-War frontage that our neighborhood has. We talked about adding a neighborhood sign last year, and even got some estimates. The horse fencing along Crosby is in need of repair (also in other spots in our neighborhood), and the landscaping at the Crosby entrance is probably something we should have professionally maintained. I'd like to solicit feedback on how/if we should address these projects at a fall meeting.

We still need to have an election this fall as well, since many of our officers' terms have expired. Please reply to the neighborhood watch e-mail and indicate which of the proposed times will work best for you, so that we can maximize attendance. Thanks!

Summer is winding down

I want to thank all those who came out for the picnic last weekend. I especially want to thank Beth and George Myers for putting it together. I was a great time, and it also helped a good cause.

I have scheduled a neighborhood meeting for 8/31, 7pm at my house. This will be a chance to catch up with each other after a HOT summer, and also to discuss some neighborhood business. Specifically, we need to start recruiting new officers for the association, and several neighbors have suggested some possible activities for this fall. The list so far includes:

• Putting a sign in at Crosby & Man-O-War
• Beautification of KU easement along Crosby
• UK Football pot-luck (for an away game, of course!)

We are of course open to other suggestions, so bring your ideas too. The picture at left shows the KU easement along Crosby, which spans 3 lots in our neighborhood. It's also the first thing you see when you turn in onto Crosby off Man-O-War. The fencing is in disrepair, and some of the original landscaping put in by the developer has become really overgrown.

Garage sale! 5/8

Based on the feedback I have received, our garage sale will be on 5/8. We will post signs at the neighborhood entrances and we'll advertise it on Craig's List and in the Herald-Leader. That's just one week away, so start looking through the attic, garage and basement for "another man's treasure."

Based on my upcoming business trips, I will not be able to lead a meeting during the week anytime soon. If someone else would like to hold one, that is fine with me. You can always e-mail me your suggestions or ideas for neighborhood projects, and you can also post comments here. I will also make the rounds during the garage sale so we can catch up in person.

Yard Sale Survey - tell us your preference!

Hello Neighbors -

Now that we're done with Easter, Keeneland, spring break etc., I know many of you (like me) are looking to clean up some clutter around the house. I have posted a survey on the right where you can indicate which weekend is best for you if you're interested in participating in our neighborhood garage sale.

We'll have a spring meeting soon as well - probably the first week of May. I have some business trips coming up so I want to make sure I can schedule it for a time that I can attend! Thanks.

District Potluck

Last week was the District 8 potluck, and this was the first year I've been able to attend. What a great event! Four different neighborhood associations were there, and for me it was another reminder of how nice is to live in a city where people are active in their communities. It also helps that we have a city government that supports community organizations like neighborhood associations. The event was held at the Gainesway community center - a beautiful new facility right here in our district. It's open to the public, they offer a variety of community programming for all ages. The building is on Milano drive off Center Parkway, an it's generally open from 12-3 during the week. They offer help with job searches, computer skills, movie nights, activities for children. For the latest information on programming at the center, call LexCall at 311.

Disc Golf is Fun!

Thanks to all who joined us for the fall meeting. We had some good discussions, and we updated our contact list for the neighborhood watch. If you were unable to attend and would like to participate in the watch or have other questions, please feel free to e-mail me at jeremy.brann@gmail.com. We're still collecting dues for this year, which are $40.

If you haven't seen it yet for yourself, the new disc golf course at River Hill Park (across Crosby drive) is a HUGE success. It's generating a lot of interest in the sport, and dozens of people are using the course daily (myself included). For more information about the sport and the equipment, visit the Professional Disc Golf Association or Innova Disc Golf. I picked up a beginner's set at Dick's sporting goods (Fayette Mall) for $25, which includes a driver, mid-range, and putter. The River Hill course is 9 holes, which you can play in 30-40 minutes.

We're still planning to do a pot luck in collaboration with the Gainesway and Tates Brook neighborhood associations (12/15, 6:30pm at the new Gainesway community center off Centre Parkway). We're also doing a holiday decorations contest like we did last year. If you want to enter your home in the contest, just let me know before December 6th - it's free to enter. There are three categories to enter, and prizes will be awarded in each one:

• Decorated door, porch, or balcony
• Lighted house/yard decorations
• Un-lit house/yard decorations

We're also looking for a generous neighbor who is willing to store the two wreaths we hang at the entrance to our neighborhood (you'll see them up there soon). If you have room to store a couple wreaths with your holiday decorations, please e-mail me. Thanks!

Fall in the Bluegrass

Hello Neighbors. Looks like fall has hit us full force this year. Hopefully we'll have some warmer days before winter comes.

I just got back from a meeting with the Gainesway neighborhood association to discuss some exciting events in our district. Here is the low down:

1) November 7th is the opening celebration for the new Disc Golf course at River Hill Park. Details on the Bluegrass Disc Golf Association (BDGA) website. Special thanks to James Miller with BDGA, LFUCG, Parks & Recreation, and Councilman George Myers. It took all these people and groups working together to make this course possible, and I think it's a wonderful recreation option for Park Place residents.

2) Fall meeting - Tuesday, 11/3, 7pm, Tates Creek Library community room

3) Holiday decorating contest. We'll be doing this again this year in collaboration with other neighborhood associations from district 8. Prizes are awarded in 3 categories: House lighting, Door/porch lighting, whole yard lighting. Details will be made available by 11/22. The contest is free to enter.

4) Holiday District 8 pot luck. This will be the 2nd year for this event, which is a great opportunity to get to know your Southeast Lexington neighbors. This year we'll be adding some special activities for children. The party will be 12/15 at 7pm at the Gainesway community center. More details T.B.A.