Creating great communities through great kids.

A note from Judge Charles F. Pratt:

Summer is winding to a close and schools are preparing to open their doors to welcome in students. Often, teachers assign students a "what did you do with your summer" essay. Perhaps we as parents could write one as well. In it, I hope that we include asset-building moments with our children.

Building assets isn't about expensive family vacations, buying the next greatest toy, or even the cost of gas. Asset building is about relationships, which start with the time we spend with youth. Asset building is free, and asset building is easy. You don't have to be a professional with a degree in child psychology to build assets. Caring about children makes you an asset builder.

This fall, Great KIDS make Great COMMUNITIES will host the 19th Annual Conference on Youth. This year's theme is "Asset Builders: The REAL Change Makers." Youth and family serving professionals from all over Allen County and beyond will attend this full day conference, and attend workshops that encompass this very theme: that ANYONE can be an asset builder, and that building assets makes a lasting impact on the lives of youth. We don't have to wait until the conference is over however, to build assets in our kids. What could YOU do to build assets in the lives of children around you?

For more information visit www.greatkidsallencounty.org/

Chat with Mayor Henry

NEXT MAYOR’S NIGHT IN OCT. 22
Meetings with Henry on 9th floor of City-County Building

Fort Wayne, Ind. – Mayor Tom Henry will hold the next Mayor’s Night In from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at the City-County Building.

The public is invited to schedule an appointment to meet with the Mayor in his office on the 9th floor to discuss any concerns about City government or services.

“Residents of Fort Wayne take their local government seriously, which is why it’s so important that I make time to meet with them. I’ve been impressed with the research and information these residents have provided at the earlier Mayor’s Nights In, and my administration is committed to following through on their concerns,” Mayor Henry said. “If you have something to bring to my attention about City government, this is the perfect opportunity.”

Fort Wayne residents can call the Mayor’s Public Information Office at 427-1120 to schedule a 10-minute block of time that evening to meet with the Mayor and members of his staff. Times will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Although walk-ins are welcome, appointments will ensure time with the Mayor. Mayor Henry hosted Mayor’s Nights In in March and July and a Mayor’s Night Out in May. The Mayor’s final neighborhood walk will be in the northwest quadrant Oct. 9.

Scram, scammers!

From the University of Saint Friancis:

Over the past several days we have received several phone calls from various individuals who lives in various parts of the greater Fort Wayne area to let us know that scammers are going door to door claiming to be USF students (which they are not) and stating that they are raising funds for the USF debate team (we do not currently have such a team). In some instances, the scammers have asked for outright donations; in other instances, they have asked individuals to order items online so that the proceeds from the online sales can go to the non-existent debate team.

Last year a similar group of scammers went door to door claiming to be either USF students or Huntington University students (which they were not) and stating that they were raising money for a non-existent school-sponsored trip abroad.

The authorities tell us that these groups of scammers tend to travel from city to city and use the names of local schools. As with any door-to-door scams, residents should immediately alert the police that the scammers are in that particular neighborhood. Also, please let your neighbors and others know that this is a scam and that these people have no affiliation with USF.

Thank you.

Miss Vicki L. Jacobs
Administration Liaison - Office of the President
University of Saint Francis, 2701 Spring Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46808
ph: 260-434-3297 / fax: 260-434-3246 / e-mail: vjacobs@sf.edu

Barbara J. Loomis
Office of Campus Ministry
Bishop Dwenger High School
Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
260-496-4736

The Fall Picnic is this weekend!

Just a reminder that the Fall Picnic is set for this Sunday, September 14 at Lions Park Pavilion. At 3:30 p.m. guest speaker Kiera Blackton from Waste Management will educate us in the process of recycling. At 5:00 p.m. the potluck dinner will commence. Coffee and soda will be provided. Bring a dish and join the fun!

Items of note -- from Karen Goldner

Although the weather still says "summer," the kids are back in school and calendars are starting to get busy so we can tell that fall is here!

1. The 2nd District Community Meeting will be Monday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m., at the Conklin Pavillion in Shoaff Park (as you enter the park, take a left). Representatives of City Utilities will be there to discuss the city's plan to clean up our three rivers and the resulting impact on sewer rates. There will also be plenty of time for open discussion on whatever issues you want. Please come!

2. Healthcare Summit - Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the downtown library. Speakers will include Dr. Jon Walker, FW/AC Board of Health Commissioner Dr. Deborah McMahan, speakers on the future of the VA Medical Center, Indiana State Health Commissioner Julia Vaughn, and representatives of the Obama and McCain campaigns. It's free and will also be broadcast live on Public Access television. Sponsored by Public1 (a local community advocacy group), Parkview Hospital, the St. Joe Health Foundation, University of St. Francis, and other community organizations.

3. Grab your leash, dog, and tennis shoes and let your feet help beat animal cruelty and neglect through education. Walk for Animals is a 2-mile non-competitive fund-raising walk on Sunday, October 12th to benefit Animal Care & Control, so registration and a minimum pledge of $25 is required of all participants to walk, win a shirt and sample great vendor products. Registration begins at Franke Park Pavilion #1 at 12:30 p.m. Prizes are awarded for top-fund-raisers. Dog Pack Teams and Family Registrations are available. Get forms online at www.fwacc.org, at local veterinary clinics, at Animal Care & Control, or by calling 427-5508.