News release from the city of Fort Wayne, via Karen Goldner

I do hope you are reading this from your own home, meaning that you have electricity. If you know of older people or folks with special needs, please check on them during this bitter cold weather.

And I am told that the Christmas Eve luminaries on Forest Park Boulevard are still "a go" - a beautiful Christmas tradition. Drive down the boulevard and enjoy the glow.

From the Mayor's Office:

For release: Monday, December 22, 2008

CITY RESIDENTS TO REPORT TREE LIMBS IN PARK STRIP TO 311 FOR PICK-UP
311 open until 8 tonight, shelters remain open for those without heat

Fort Wayne, Ind. The City of Fort Wayne has already started picking up downed tree limbs and needs the public's help to prioritize the areas of greatest need and to ensure a thorough clean-up effort.

Mayor Tom Henry asks Fort Wayne residents to call 311 if they have tree branches in the parkstrip or if branches are still in the street.

To facilitate an orderly and faster tree limb pick-up, we need your help to know where the problem areas are. Please call 311 if you have tree branches in the park strip, Mayor Henry said. I've instructed our employees that we are going to need to work some overtime to help get our city back in order. The City of Fort Wayne is working hard to clean-up the large quantity of branches that fell over the past four days but it's going to take some time.

If possible, Mayor Henry asks residents to clear the branches from sidewalks too. Some of these limbs are far too large to move, but if you can clear off the sidewalks, it will be appreciated, he said.

The crews are prioritizing safety, clearing major roadways first and then neighborhood clean-up.

The Parks Department and the Street Department are working together to clear branches from roadways and pick-up the debris. Parks has four crews out today and will work throughout Tuesday and Friday and on an emergency basis Wednesday and Thursday.

Starting tomorrow, the Street Department and Water Pollution Control will have crews, consisting of a back-hoe, two to three large dump trucks and a couple of laborers, in southeast Fort Wayne, Waynedale and near Lakeside Park, to assist with clean-up efforts. Cooperative weather will help speed clean-up efforts.

311 call center extends hours tonight

The City's 311 Call Center will be open until 8 p.m. today. 311 is taking non-emergency calls for things such as tree limbs obstructing streets. It will have regular hours tomorrow, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

911 should be used for emergencies only including downed power lines. Do not touch any downed utility wire.

Shelter information

The Red Cross has set up shelters at The War Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave., and South Side High School, 3601 S. Calhoun St., with cots and sleeping space, and free meals.

Those heading to a shelter should bring bedding or sleeping bags, pillows, clothing, games or toys for their children, and if needed, medications and baby formula.

The Coliseum site is also serving as an animal shelter for dogs and cats. Any dog or cat owners sheltering pets at the Coliseum will need to stay at the Red Cross’s Coliseum shelter too to provide intermittent care. Animal Care & Control employees and volunteers are staffing the temporary shelter that will be open through 10 p.m. Tuesday.

People with pets registering at the Coliseum should leave the animal in the car and register first at the expo center. They should let the Red Cross staff know they have a pet, and they will be directed to the appropriate entrance to drop off the dog or cat.

Pet owners should bring the following items for their animal:

Crate or kennel
Food and medications
Secure collar and leash
Blanket for sleeping or to cover the crate
Favorite toy

Mayor Henry encourages residents who have been without power and heat for days to go to the local shelters, which are offering their services for free.

These locations are set up for the safety and well-being of people who are heading into their fourth day without electricity and likely heat. Don't take risks with overusing space heaters or fireplaces. Come to the Coliseum or South Side High School,” Henry said.

If residents needs help in arranging for transportation to the Red Cross shelters, they can call 311.

The YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne has opened the Central Branch, the Parkview Family YMCA, the Jorgensen Family YMCA and the Old Fort YMCA to the public for showering purposes until power is restored.

Water pipes

If a resident finds a frozen pipe in their house has burst, they need to call 311. If it’s after hours, follow the prompts for Water Maintenance and Service. The Water Maintenance dispatcher will send a crew to the house to turn off the water at the location.

It is the homeowner’s responsibility to call a plumber to fix the pipe. Once the plumbing is fixed, the resident or homeowner needs to call 311 again to have Water Maintenance turn the water on again.

For frozen pipes, the homeowner needs to call a plumber or use hot water or UL-listed device such as a hand-held dryer to thaw the pipe. City Utilities does not need to be involved. Do not use an open flame like a blow torch to thaw a pipe.

If a house or building has no heat, occupants should turn on the faucets with a stream the diameter of a pencil to help minimize chances of the pipes freezing. If the hot water heater is working, the water should be lukewarm running through the faucets.

Leave any cabinet doors open to help circulate air around the pipes too. The air in the house is likely to be warmer than the air outside.

Some garbage and recycling pick-up from Monday delayed

Some residents who have garbage and curbside recycling pick-up on Monday may be delayed until Tuesday or Wednesday of this week due to the adverse weather conditions.

National Serv-All crews will be working extra shifts the next two days. If a Monday customer did not have pick-up today, they should leave their cart or bins out until collected.

Monday's customers do not need to call 311 about the missed pick-up. National Serv-All is keeping track of the streets not picked up.

Safety tips from Fort Wayne Fire Department

The Fire Department has seen problems with people operating decorative fireplaces too long, with too much wood or too hot, which can create fire safety hazards and resulted in some house fires over the weekend.

The Fire Department is also concerned about carbon monoxide levels in homes where kerosene space heaters are not being used with proper ventilation. Use all space heaters according to manufacturer's instructions.

The Fire Department offers the following tips to residents who are without heat to stay safe:

Never use a range or oven to heat a home or building.

Make sure wood stoves are properly installed and away from combustible surfaces. They need to have proper floor support and adequate ventilation. Never use flammable liquids (such as gasoline) to start or accelerate the fire.

If trying to thaw a frozen pipe, do not use a blow torch or other open flame. Use hot water or a UL-listed device such as a hand-held dryer.

Only use a space heater when it is monitored at all times. Do not leave a space heater unattended. Be sure to allow at least three feet of clear space all the way around the heater. Make sure the space heater has an emergency shut-off in case it tips over. Follow all manufacturers' guidelines especially in using the recommended fuel for that space heater. Be sure to refuel the space heater outside, away from the house and never refill it while it is operating or still hot.

Power outages and traffic signals

Twenty-two traffic signals are out from the widespread power outages, down from a high of 65. The City has placed temporary stop signs at the affected intersections, but Mayor Henry reminds drivers that when a signal is not working, it becomes a four-way stop unless otherwise marked with stop signs.

Mayor Henry recommends anyone still without power to contact their electric company to report the outage.

Indiana Michigan Power customers need to call (800) 311-4634 and follow the automated prompts. Northeastern REMC customers can call (260) 625-3700.

With the help of additional crews, Indiana Michigan Power is working to restore power to customers with crews coming from out of state to help the efforts. For I&M service updates, visit http://www.indianamichiganpower.com/news/outages/viewstorm.asp?stormName=December%202008%20Ice%20Storm.

Because of the power outage, Weisser Park Youth Center will be closed today.

Tree branches drop-off sites

The City expanded the number of sites for tree branch drop-off and lengthening the hours for the Biosolids facility.

City residents can drop off tree limbs to:

City Biosolids Facility Compost Site, 6210 Lake Ave., with hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and Friday through Sunday. It will be closed Thursday. The fees for tree branch drop-off are being waived.

Shoaff Park Christmas tree drop-off location by Conklin Pavilion during park hours

Tillman Park by the ball fields during park hours

Foster Park West at Winchester and Bluffton entrance

Foellinger Theatre parking lot during park hours

McMillen Park’s pool parking lot during park hours

For trees in the parkstrip, City crews will pick up limbs. For tree branches from the yard, it’s the property owner’s responsibility to remove them.

For a nominal fee, residents can also take limbs and debris to the National Serv-All compost site, 6231 MacBeth Rd. It is open 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Animal Care & Control's request for donations

In this animal emergency, Belinda Lewis, Animal Care & Control director, is asking for the public’s help with some items of need. The shelter, 3020 Hillegas Road, will be open until midnight to accept the following donations:

Temporary donations of crates and airline kennels; the items will be clearly marked with the owner’s name and returned after the emergency

Paper towels
Buckets
Plastic grocery bags to be used as pooper-scooper bags

The remaining space at the Animal Care & Control shelter is reserved for public safety or animal emergencies.

Be diligent about safety.

A resident e-mailed recently to share an incident that happened close by. An elderly woman was robbed in her home last Saturday night. She lives in the Rolston/Glenwood area. Apparently several masked men with long trench coats, gloves and guns broke in her door at 12:30 a.m. Sunday and told her they wouldn’t harm her if she cooperated.

Please remember to be diligent about keeping yourselves safe. Lock your homes and cars, keep outside lights on, and don't leave purchases in your car. And, if you notice any suspicious activity, don't hesitate to call our FWPD Neighborhood Liaison, Officer Matthew Cline at 427-5400 x4519, or call the FWPD Desk Sergeant at 427-1222.

Items of Interest

Safety first: The City of Fort Wayne reports that skating ponds at our city parks, including Lakeside, are NOT safe for ice skating due to current weather conditions. Snow and rain tend to insulate the ponds from the effects of cold, preventing them from freezing enough to be safe for humans. The best ice is created when we experience a series of cold days (below 20 degrees) without snow or rain. And given how quickly it got cold in November, it seems likely that we're going to hit such weather this year. Red lights/flags are posted at each pond to let you know when it's safe, or you can contact Parks & Recreation at 427-6000, www.fortwayneparks.org.

But not to worry, you can ice skate at Headwaters rink downtown or at McMillen Park ice arena. And if you are looking for free ice skating, come to the McMillen Park holiday ice skating party on Saturday, December 20, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free but you are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for Community Harvest Food Bank. For each item you bring, you'll be entered to win a prize. I am told that a certain jolly elf will be making a stop that afternoon as he plans out his December 24 travels.

And taxes second: And if you or someone you know is over 65, you will want to be aware of a new property tax exemption FOR WHICH YOU MUST FILE BY DECEMBER 31. It is called the OVER 65 CIRCUIT BREAKER and has different rules than the previous exemption, so it's worth checking out. The exemption limits how much your property taxes can be increased each year. Click here for more information or you can call 449-7241. Remember, the deadline is fast approaching.

More Holiday events from Karen Goldner

Here are a couple of upcoming events with ties to 2nd District residents. They both look like a lot of fun:

1. QUILTING OPEN HOUSE: Born Again Quilts is having a Christmas Open House at 122 West Wayne Street from 10 - 4 featuring vintage quilts, quilting materials, dolls, and more (10% of sale proceeds benefit the Macedonian Museum). And right across the street the Bead and Candle Shoppe will be open as well.

2. CHRISTMAS ON THE CORRIDOR: Check out this event, sponsored by the Wells Street Area Merchants (WAM), along Wells Street south of State, and also on the historic Wells Street Bridge (at the southern end of the street).
Saturday, December 6, 2008
10:00 a.m. ‘til 2:00 p.m.
over 15 participating Wells area merchants
Free trolley rides along the corridor
2;00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Carolers, hot cocoa and cookies on the historic Wells St. Bridge with a visit from good 'ol St. Nick!

Coming Events

We’re approaching the holidays, and there is no shortage of fun events for people of all ages.

Friday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m. Headwaters Park ice skating rink opens with an Ice Skating Extravaganza presented by the Fort Wayne Ice Skating Club. Are you afraid of ice skating because you never had the chance to learn how to do it? (Important safety tip: if you see me coming toward you look out because I never learned how to stop without running into something or someone.) Headwaters Park offers lessons for the young and old beginning on November 29. Don't forget, kids under 14 skate for free on Fridays, so bring the whole family down to Headwaters Park and enjoy this holiday season on the ice!

Wednesday, Nov. 26, 6:15 p.m., HOLIDAY FEST kicks off with one of Fort Wayne’s most enduring holiday traditions, the HolidayFest Lighting Ceremony beginning with Santa and his reindeer at Main & Calhoun. But that’s just the beginning. In addition to the lighting of Santa at the National City Bank on Main Street, you’ll also see the lighting of the Wells Fargo Holiday Tree at the Wells Fargo building on the corner of Wayne and Calhoun streets, and the lighting of the Indiana Michigan Power Christmas Wreath at One Summit Square. This is a FREE event and if you’re new to Fort Wayne it’s absolutely a don’t miss for the young and the young at heart.

Busy the night before Thanksgiving? Not to worry, the Embassy Theatre, Botanical Conservatory, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, History Center, Headwaters Park, Grand Wayne Center and Science Central are participating in HolidayFest 2008 with a range of fun-filled holiday activities throughout the season. Check out details at http://www.downtownholidayfest.com/index.php. The only hard part will be figuring out how to get to everything that you want to see.

Make a day of it by attending several events, or better yet, stretch it into the early evening so you can stop to see Santa and his reindeer and gnosh on a couple of hotdogs at the Coney Island on Main Street. And then add a little magic to the holiday season with a visit to the 14th Annual Fantasy of Lights (which also opens Nov. 26). Take your time as you enjoy a 1½-mile drive through Franke Park on Sherman Boulevard. Listen to your favorite holiday music in the warmth of your car while gazing upon over 75 larger than life, brilliantly lighted holiday displays. This is the perfect holiday event for all ages! Proceeds ($5 per car) from Fantasy of Lights benefit programs and therapies for children and adults with disabilities.

2nd District Meeting coming up.

From Karen Goldner:

Just a reminder that next Wednesday, NOVEMBER 19, 7 p.m., we'll have the final 2nd District Community Meeting for 2008. The location is Psi Ote Barn (upper level) in North Side Park. Enter off of Parnell and go just past the tennis courts.

Our program should be especially interesting for people throughout the district: representatives of Parkview Hospital will be speaking about their plans for both the Randallia hospital and the new regional facility at the North Campus.

As always, there will be opportunity for discussion about whatever other local issues are on your mind.

Hope you can make it.

Karen

So very taxing...

It is tax time again. The fall installment for Allen County property taxes is due on November 17, 2008. Please return the Fall Treasurer’s Copy B with your payment to:

Allen County Treasurer
PO Box 2540
Fort Wayne IN 46801-2540

Other payment options:

Pay at local banks. You must have your tax statement when paying at a bank. The local banks that are accepting payments are:

Chase, Farmers and Merchants, Fifth Third, Flagstar, Grabill, Huntington , Lake City, Markle, National City, Star Financial, The State Bank, Tower and Wells Fargo.

Drop Box is available at any Star Financial night depository.

Check the Treasurer’s web site, www.co.allen.in.us/treasurer, for information about paying by credit card or single electronic payment.

Have a great day,
Sue Orth
Treasurer Elect Allen County