GREENVILLE - BELMONT - HENDERSON - CENTRAL - GOODWIN

P.O. BOX 720192 DALLAS, TEXAS 75372 VOICE MAIL: (214) 967-5134 WWW.VPNA.ORG

VICKERY PLACE BLOCK PARTY

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 6:30-8:30 PM

Probably the most fun event of the year in Vickery Place is coming up this summer. It is a block party bash that usually draws a large crowd.

National Night Out Against Crime is a day set aside to promote community awareness and to foster a sense of togetherness in the fight against crime. One of the best ways to combat crime is for us to get to know our neighbors and to watch out for each other. There will be entertainment, and a variety of food and activities.

There are many talented people in Vickery Place. Perhaps you are an artist or crafts person. Come on, bring your creations to the festival and let us know you!

WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP pulling together all of the activities for National Night Out. We need help selling raffle tickets, and with set-up and take-down on the day of the event. You could lend a hand with concessions, children's activities, etc. Participating is a great way to meet others and have a lot of fun!

Please call the Vickery Place voicemail at 214-967-5134 and leave your name and number. Someone will get back to you with information on how you can help out at our Vickery Place National Night Out Against Crime Block Party.

See how much fun we had last year on pages 4 and 5.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Vickery Place Neighborhood meetings are held the second Thursday of each month. We meet at Vickery Towers located at Belmont and Greenville 7:00pm.

Upcoming Topics:

July 11th - Code compliance update & smart tips for making your home more energy efficient.

August 6th - National Night Out Block Party on Glencoe between Willis and Miller 6:30-8:30pm

September 12th - Guest speaker

Rose-Mary Rumbley

If you want to enjoy a fun-filled evening hearing nostalgic and humorous stories about Dallas and Vickery Place, plan to attend the VPNA September meeting when Rose-Mary Rumbley will be our guest speaker. A former teacher and actress, Dr. Rumbley is an author, historian and sought after speaker. Mark your calendar now and tell your neighbors to keep September 12th open for Vickery Place Neighborhood Association.

Bulky Trash/Ramas Grandes

Week of July 8th

VOLUME 25, ISSUE 7

JULY, 2002

DISD VOTE SCHEDULED

The Dallas Independent School District will elect a new Board of Trustees on Saturday, July 27^th. Polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Vickery Place residents' polling places are at Vickery Towers and Unity Church as usual. Early voting opens Wednesday, July 10^th and closes Tuesday, July 23^rd. Several early voting places will be open around the city, including the DISD Building at 3700 Ross and the Samuel Grand Recreation Center at 6200 East Grand.

CRIME STATS

Assault 5/14/2002 Other

Vandal 5/22/2002 Residence

Robbery 5/27/2002 Other

Robbery 5/27/2002 Other

Theft 5/16/2002 Residence

Theft 5/25/2002 Other

Ag Assault 5/26/2002 Belx Greenville Ave

Ag Assault 5/16/2002 51xx Richard Ave

Burglary 5/8/2002 52xx Bonita Ave

Burglary 5/15/2002 28xx N Henderson Ave

Theft 5/23/2002 26xx N Henderson Ave

Auto Theft 5/07/2002 26xx Madera St

Assault 5/10/2002 53xx Bonita Ave

Assault 5/13/2002 51xx Richard Ave

Assault 5/16/2002 51xx Richard Ave

Assault 5/08/200 54xx Willis

Vandal 5/28/2002 52xx Bonita Ave

Other 5/10/2002 26xx Madera

Runaway 5/11/2002 52xx Willis Ave

Burglary 5/24/2002 55xx Richard Ave

Theft 4/30/2002 55xx Miller Ave

Theft 5/17/2002 55xx Miller Ave

WIN BIG

in the Vickery place neighborhood association

National night out

RAFFLE!!!!

TICKETS ARE $2 EACH, OR THREE FOR $5.

YOU CAN BUY YOUR RAFFLE TICKETS FROM ANY VPNA BOARD MEMBER AND NEIGHBORHOOD

BUSINESSes SUCH AS STICKS AND STONES, THE OLD MONK AND CUBA LIBRE.

WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT OUR

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT BLOCK PARTY

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6TH, 2002

6:30-8:30 PM

2600 BLOCK OF GLENCOE,

BETWEEN MILLER AND WILLIS

MUSIC, FOOD AND FUN

YOU NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN

BUT DON'T MISS OUT ON ALL THE FUN!

3

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

The Greater Lakewood Shepherd's Center celebrated their 17^th birthday on Flag Day, Friday, June 14 at the First

Community Church on Mockingbird Lane. Lunch was catered by Two Sisters and Dave Tanner entertained with America's Patriotic Melodies and the stories behind the songs.

The Greater Lakewood Shepherd's Center provides life enhancing activities for and with older adults in our community, offering companionship, learning, community involvement and volunteer opportunities.

If you are a senior citizen in Vickery Place or have a neighbor who would benefit from the

organization, contact Alice Zacarello, Executive Director or Jean Heft, Administrative Assistant at 214-823-2583 for information.

JULY YARD OF THE MONTH

Instead of choosing a yard-of-the-month for July, I wanted to talk instead about the nature and wildlife you'll find in your own backyard. I'll get back to YOM for August.

Some people don't realize how much wildlife you can find in your own yard and in the neighborhood. We've been lucky to not have to endure massive construction in Vickery Place, which is a major cause in destroying that fragile balance between human and nature's co-existence. I'd like to share some of my family's experiences and others that I've heard in the last few days.

About 2 weeks ago (mid-June) a storm blew in with gusts of wind up to 60mph. It blew out the electricity in my part of the neighborhood for several hours. While in the backyard around 5pm or so, my son yelled that he had found a bat! Sure enough, a beautiful Red Bat and her 3 babies had been blown out of our magnolia tree and landed hard enough to knock out the mom, but all seemed to be alive. We carefully lifted them with a shovel (mom may bite to protect her young) to a protected, open-ended container so the dog wouldn't trample them. That night, the mom eventually came to and left but returned that night and subsequent nights to get her babies, one by one. Apparently, the babies were newborn (only about 2-3 inches long) and were clinging to mom because of the storm. They are insect eaters and live only in trees and not actual structures like an attic or garage…and they are in your neighborhood. (http://www.batcon.org/discover/species/lboreal.html ) to learn more.

I've also heard stories about red foxes that have seen for quite awhile in the neighborhood not to mention the abundance of birds, frogs, mammals and amphibians of all kinds. The fox to the left was spotted in late June on Kenwood St. in Lakewood

I encourage everyone to do a few simple things that will surely add a level of awe and peace to your hectic life:

Ø Take a chair to your backyard just before dusk. Sit, listen and watch.

Ø Remember, you don't have to know the species of bird you're hearing to enjoy its song.

Ø Go to a used or new bookstore and pick up field guides about caterpillars, butterflies, bird, mammal, amphibians even bugs! It's a lot of fun to be able to identify the things that are around you and can become a family event. Field guides are great because they are small in size, very detailed information with great photos or illustrations for easy identification. I picked up all of mine at used bookstores for a few dollars each.

Ø Encourage wildlife on your property. Plant trees and shrubs that provide food and protection for birds. Put up birdhouses maybe even bat houses! Eliminate the chemicals that you use on your lawn and planting areas to encourage healthier soil and its complex system of microorganisms.

Ø Go organic! No better way to encourage the return of wildlife that are now repelled by the chemicals.

Thanks for letting me share this with you and I hope you all find the time to site quietly and watch the fireflies light up the night. Don't forget to water the trees on the parkway! Sometimes they are missed by the sprinklers, so pull a hose to them and turn the water on to a slow trickle and leave it there until it has been saturated. Summers are critical for trees that are 2-3 years old and younger.

Happy Gardening and Happy 4^th of July!

Sandi

2002 Board of Directors

Candy Hearne President

Shelia Huffman Secretary

Todd McCavit Treasurer

Board Members at Large

Amy Brillhart

Sunny Potter

Leah Holly

Kelly Jennings

Jennifer Bryarly Editor

The Vickery Place Neighborhood News is published by the Vickery Place Neighborhood Association.

For advertising rates and information, call the VPNA voice mail at

214-967-5134.

See how much fun we had in 2001!