2009 Kirkwood Park Garden Walk

Join your neighbors for an Ice Cream Social/Garden Walk on Sunday, June 28 at 6:30 p.m. The evening will begin with an Ice Cream Social at the home of Judy Wagoner.

Immediately after ice cream, the Garden Walk will begin. Some of the homes included on the tour include Kim and Patty Tisland, Phil and Joy Hudson, Tom and Jeane Wagner, Jerry and Diane Burch, Paul Sust and Heather Acero, Charlene and Bob Schrader, and Joni Weber. And if the weather’s not great, so what? Don’t let a little rain stop you from dropping by. Judy has offered her garage and summerhouse to use as back up.

If you’re interested in participating, please contact Judy at judithwagoner@hotmail.com.

What a great way to spend a summer evening!

Money may not grow on trees, but trees can grow for only $35!

From the Parks Department:

May 28, 2009

Contact: Natalie Eggeman (260-427-6028)
Chad Tinkel (260-427-5203)

One Month Left to Order Street Trees

Fort Wayne, IN: June 30th is the last day residents can apply for a street tree, which the City would plant adjacent to their property, on the street right of way this fall.

The street tree program has been offered annually for more than 15 years. Trees are offered at $35 on a first-come, first-served basis. This year, the City hopes to plant up to 1000 trees through this program, depending upon the species that are planted, and the funding available.

Neighborhood organizations are encouraged to spread the word and can work with program staff to plant in multiple locations. Also, the $35 fee per tree may be waived for applicants whose incomes fall below certain limits.

“It’s important to us to continue our tradition of being a green city, here in Fort Wayne,” said Chad Tinkel, Parks and Recreation Manager of Forestry Operations. “Planting trees is great for the environment and providing trees with sturdy branches that are resistant to storm damage ensures the community can enjoy them for a long time.”

One tree alone can absorb more than 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, helping Fort Wayne achieve EPA air quality standards. Trees absorb rainfall, helping reduce the release of sewage into the rivers in heavy rains.
Studies show how shade trees reduce energy consumption in summer by reducing air conditioning loads.

Street trees cool the streets and neighborhoods with their shade and studies have shown that trees increase property value in well planted neighborhoods.

Residents can download an application from www.fortwayneparks.org home page, or call 427-6400 to have an application mailed to them.

Some trees are better than others for planting along streets. They’re considered “good neighbor” trees with deep root systems that aren’t considered invasive to sewer systems. These strong, disease-resistant trees include various Maple, Oak, Honey Locust, Gingko, Linden, and Plane varieties, among others, listed on the application.

For more information about street trees and the benefits of trees, visit www.fortwayneparks.org, click on Parks Maintenance then choose the street trees link.

Info from Karen Goldner

On Monday at the 2nd District Community Meeting, someone asked me to send out the TinCaps website, where you can buy tickets to see our team play at Parkview Field. The site is http://tincaps.com/, and if you haven't been to a game you should go check it out.

Many people ask me about the impact of federal stimulus money in Fort Wayne. I will summarize by saying that the amount we are getting is, in a word, underwhelming. However, you can get more specific information at the next Community Services Council (CSC) Special Public Forum which will be held Thursday, May 7, at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers (Room 126/128 of the City County Building, One Main Street). Speakers will include representatives from various city departments including Public Works, Community Development, City Utilities, Energy and Public Safety. In addition to direct funding to the City of Fort Wayne, there will be information presented on funding for Citilink, schools and non-profit organizations.

RSVP is not required, but if you'd like additional information on the meeting you can contact Denise Porter-Ross, denise.porter-ross@cityoffortwayne.org.

High Speed Rail in Fort Wayne?

If you attended the annual meeting, you heard our 2nd District Councilperson, Karen Goldner, advocate for the return of passenger rail service to Fort Wayne. According to the Downtown Improvement District's counts, more than 800 people attended the recent "Rally for Rail", held at the Baker Street Station.

A group has formed to help advance this important cause. The Northeast Indiana Passenger Rail Association (NIPRA), is part of the Invent Tomorrow Initiative. They are the folks responsible for the Rally for Rail. They have a web site, http://nipra2rail.wordpress.com, where you can find updated information, and links to e-mail addresses and contact info for the Governor and our legislators.

It's especially important that we take a moment and contact the Governor. President Obama has put money aside in the stimulus bill for the expansion of high-speed rail. We need to make sure that Fort Wayne is part of that plan.

Mark your calendars: Annual Meeting on April 16 at Concordia High School

It’s that time again. The Kirkwood Park Annual Meeting will be held in the cafeteria at Concordia High School on Thursday, April 16, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. Dinner will be provided.

Guest speakers will include: Our 2nd District City Councilperson, Karen Goldner; Mary Jane Slayton from City Utilities and Denise Porter-Ross from the Northeast Area Partnership.

At the meeting, we will be electing several new board members. If you don't receive the printed copy of the newsletter, download one from the link provided and bring your ballot with you to the meeting. If you won’t be able to attend, please submit the form in a sealed envelope to Board Secretary Laura Stronczek, at her home on 2609 Merivale Street, prior to the meeting.

In addition to the election, important updates will be presented and door prizes will be awarded. You won’t want to miss it!

Ben Franke receives a Citizen Action Meritorious Award

The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette reported this morning Ben Franke, son of Wade and Karen Franke, was honored with a Citizen Action Meritorious Award on Monday, March 23 at the 2008 Fort Wayne Fire Department Service Awards, held at the Public Safety Academy of Northeast Indiana. He was one of 13 firefighters and citizens recognized at the event.

"Ben Franke was given a Citizen Action Meritorious Award for helping his neighbors, Dean and Eleanor Shideler, escape a fire in March 2008 at their Rolston Avenue home.

The Shidelers attended the ceremony to personally thank Franke.

When Franke learned of the blaze, the first thing that went though his head was “just get over there and help them,” he said after receiving the award.

“It’s great,” Franke said. “It feels good.'"

2nd District News

Our next 2nd District Community Meeting will be Monday, April 27, 7 p.m., at Shoaff Park Riverlodge (straight west off of St. Joe Road, past the golf course). Our speaker will be Mayor Tom Henry, so please come for this opportunity to talk with our mayor.

Wednesday, March 25, 7 p.m., will be the first episode of a new show on "City TV" (Comcast 58/FIOS 28) called "Constructive Thinking." This will focus on the many and varied things that our Public Works and City Utilities departments do, hosted by yours truly. The 30-minute show will air on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., alternating with "Council Call-in." The first show is "Water, Water Everywhere" and includes discussion of the recent flood, flood control projects, repairing sewers and fixing potholes (which are caused by water if you think about it). In addition to some in-studio interviews we have filmed some interviews in the field so I hope it is interesting to watch. The April show will feature a rain garden theme and will include some how-to advice. We are trying to see whether we can get this podcasted so that people without Comcast or FIOS service can watch, because we know that this is going to be THE show of the season (just kidding on that last part.)

ABC’s EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION SEARCHING FOR HEROIC FAMILIES
From ABC:

Do you know someone whose home deserves an Extreme Makeover? If so, the producers of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition want to hear from you! Ty Pennington and his crew have been all across the map and they are ready to drive that famous bus into the Fort Wayne Indiana area!

What does it take to be picked for an Extreme Makeover?
We are in search of true Heroes - people who have amazing strength of character and who put their own needs aside to help others. Whether it’s a mom, a soldier, a teacher, or a fireman, we think a hero is anyone who inspires those around them. In addition, the producers are looking for families whose houses need major alterations or repair- homes that present serious problems for the family and affect the family's quality of life.

To be eligible: A family must own their own single family home and be able to show producers how a makeover will make a huge difference in their lives.

Interested families or those who wish to nominate another family should e-mail a short description of their family story to
castindiana@gmail.com

Nominations/submissions must include:
1. The names and ages of each member of the household
2. A description of the major challenges within the home.
3. Explanation of why this family is deserving, Heroic, or a positive role model in their community.
4. Photos of the family and a photo of the home
5. Don’t forget to include a contact phone number.

The deadline: for nominations is (April 2nd). BUT Don’t Delay! Please send story submissions as soon as possible!

For more information on how to apply please visit our website at: http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome/index?pn=apply