From jeni at charlesvillage.org Mon May 1 14:31:22 2006 From: jeni at charlesvillage.org (Jeni Spevak) Date: Mon, 1 May 2006 14:31:22 -0400 Subject: [CV Block Leaders] Block Leader Meeting this Thursday Message-ID: <200605011429218.SM01048@OUTREACH> Hi everyone, I'm writing to remind you that we will be meeting: Thursday, May 4 7:00pm Future Care (27th and N Charles) It was great seeing those of you who made it to the Volunteer Recognition Luau Party at the VLP last Saturday! It was a beautiful day and a lovely party. I am glad to have been able to bring it to you as a way to say thank you to all of you for your hard work in the community. See you Thursday! Jeni Spevak Block Leader Coordinator Charles Village Community Benefits District 2301 N Charles St - Baltimore, MD 21218 410-235-4411 x16 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://charlesvillage.info/pipermail/blockleaders_charlesvillage.info/attachments/20060501/88dea5ec/attachment.htm From jeni at charlesvillage.org Wed May 3 13:31:06 2006 From: jeni at charlesvillage.org (Jeni Spevak) Date: Wed, 3 May 2006 13:31:06 -0400 Subject: [CV Block Leaders] Reminder! Message-ID: <200605031328640.SM01048@OUTREACH> Hi folks! Tomorrow is the day of our next Block Leader Meeting! Please come! I have give-aways and snacks! It will be fun! Thursday, May 4 7:00pm Future Care (27th and N Charles) I hope to see you all there! Jeni Spevak Block Leader Coordinator Charles Village Community Benefits District 2301 N Charles St - Baltimore, MD 21218 410-235-4411 x16 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://charlesvillage.info/pipermail/blockleaders_charlesvillage.info/attachments/20060503/5dba6ddd/attachment.htm From jeni at charlesvillage.org Tue May 9 13:36:46 2006 From: jeni at charlesvillage.org (Jeni Spevak) Date: Tue, 9 May 2006 13:36:46 -0400 Subject: [CV Block Leaders] Thank you! Message-ID: <20060509133415.SM01048@OUTREACH> Hello Block Leaders! I have a question for all of you, and would appreciate a response from each of you as soon as possible. I know that we are all very busy people, but I am disappointed that I did not see more of you at the Luau Party on April 29th. Some of you told me you could not make it, either in advance or close to the event, but there were more who had RSVP'd to come but did not make it. It was a wonderful party and I would have liked to share it with all of you. My Americorps training tells me that I can not say thank you enough to our wonderful volunteers. The work you are doing in the community is so necessary, and I would like to have one more event in July to show our appreiciation for your time and effort. I am considering a week-night dinner or Sunday brunch at a local restaurant, but I need to know if you will come. I have a small amount of grant money to use to organize this event, and can seek donations as well. My question is, do you want to be thanked? Do you want to come to a dinner or brunch in recognition of your efforts? I feel like momentum for this program is going to the block level, which is great, but the last meeting I held only 6 block leaders attended. There are technically 29 block leaders now, with varying levels of activity. Those who attended the last meeting did not feel that an appreciation event was appropriate, or that they even wanted to attend. I certainly do not want to organize an event if noone will come! Please let me know what your preference is. If coming to an event like this is not your cup of tea, let me know. I will look to use the grant money for other uses. If I get an overwhelming response of interest, I am willing to do as much work as necessary to give you all an amazing meal in appreciation of all your hard work. It's up to you! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me, Jeni Spevak Block Leader Coordinator Charles Village Community Benefits District 2301 N Charles St - Baltimore, MD 21218 410-235-4411 x16 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://charlesvillage.info/pipermail/blockleaders_charlesvillage.info/attachments/20060509/0d2c4a13/attachment.htm From jeni at charlesvillage.org Wed May 10 14:06:59 2006 From: jeni at charlesvillage.org (Jeni Spevak) Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 14:06:59 -0400 Subject: [CV Block Leaders] Meeting minutes and misc. Message-ID: <20060510140493.SM01048@OUTREACH> Hello Block Leaders! At our last block leader meeting we had only 6 block leaders. I know some of you could not make the meeting, and that is fine. We will have one more meeting in July before my Americorps year ends on August 8th. If anyone has any hours to report please get them to me as soon as you can. Feel free to email them to me. Meeting Notes: -Due to fun and free things at the BMA and other museums, I will never again have a block leader meeting on the first Thursday of the month! I will also pass that info along to whoever is in my position next year. We'll stick to Wednesdays or do them later in the month. -Block leaders are connecting with neighbors and getting to know them better. It's slower going on some blocks than others, but overall people are getting to know their neighbors and this has been very positive. Block leaders introduced themselves and shared about the experiences on their blocks. -There were more specific questions for Wes in regards to safety and sanitation issues. Some ideas for upcoming events: Since the clean sweep was rained out, let's have another clean up. June 10th, 9am - 12pm. Rain date, June 17th. Let's do it on each block individually, or consecutive blocks with block leaders can work together on this. This is an opportunity to get your neighbors out of the house and work with them on a project. I will talk to Wes about our guys picking up the bags and I will talk to the city about getting a dumpster in a central location. How does that sound? I will create a flyer and deliver some to each block leader at the end of May. If you choose to participate, pass the flyers out to your neighbors and hold your clean-up day! If you can not participate, talk to neighbors about spear-heading it or just drop it all together. It's up to you. The CVCBD has a number of engravers for household goods. Why not throw a porch furniture engraving party?? It will permanently inscribe your address, phone number or ID number (whatever you choose) onto your property just in time for the prime swiping season! On Lou's block, they have what they call a "Porch Sit". Flyers go around telling everyone to come hang out on their porches in the evening one night, and people just hang out and talk to each other and maybe share food or drinks. Think about organizing this simple and no-stress event for your block! National Night Out is coming up on August 1st. A great time to connect with your neighbors over a block barbeque or social gathering. Everyone get outside and turn on your porch lights to promote safety and neighborhood unity! I've asked the city about the legality of painting house numbers on the alley outside of each home. Of course every neighbor would do their own house, but this could be a great alternative for those houses who do not have fences in the back. It's a fantastic safety feature to have your house number visible from the back. And in terms of organizing another "recognition" event, I think I'm going to scrap it. I've only gotten a few responses and folks don't seem overly enthusiastic. I understand that noone wants fanfare. I would like to organize a small social event later in the year for block leaders to come together to connect with each other in a fun and relaxed setting. Hopefully more of you will come to something low-key and social. More on that in the upcoming months. ---------------------------------------- That's about it for now. I'll be out of the office tomorrow and Friday, I'll be in the office all next week, and then I am out of town for a family vacation from May 20th through 29th. If you have any questions, concerns or needs do not hesitate to get in touch with me or leave me an email or voice mail. If you have a question while I'm away call 410-235-4411 and speak to someone at the front desk or email me at jeni_spevak at yahoo.com A note on block leadering- this is supposed to be fun. I know some of you have big plans for your blocks, but if others of you are feeling stressed about this, maybe start this year with a simple porch sit or block party to get neigbors talking to neighbors. There will be someone in my position in September who will work with you on your ongoing efforts. I would love to see every block do a little something this spring and/or summer. As the coordinator, I can't initiate your activities, but I am right here waiting for opportunities to help you organize your block. Use me as a resource. Thanks! Jeni Spevak Block Leader Coordinator Charles Village Community Benefits District 2301 N Charles St - Baltimore, MD 21218 410-235-4411 x16 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://charlesvillage.info/pipermail/blockleaders_charlesvillage.info/attachments/20060510/c201504b/attachment.htm From jeni at charlesvillage.org Mon May 15 15:41:11 2006 From: jeni at charlesvillage.org (Jeni Spevak) Date: Mon, 15 May 2006 15:41:11 -0400 Subject: [CV Block Leaders] Clean Up and Neighborhood Walkers Message-ID: <200605151538781.SM01048@OUTREACH> Hi Block Leaders! I sent an email last week and mentioned the idea of having another clean up day on June 10th, rain date June 17th. This would be a clean up on the block level. All you would really have to do is pass out flyers and clean with whoever shows up! I will get a dumpster that day from the city, at a central location, for folks who want to clean basements, etc. Let me know if you will participate. The Neighborhood Walkers program is stirring again in parts of the neighborhood. Who is interested in knowing more about this? Thanks, Jeni Spevak Block Leader Coordinator Charles Village Community Benefits District 2301 N Charles St - Baltimore, MD 21218 410-235-4411 x16 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://charlesvillage.info/pipermail/blockleaders_charlesvillage.info/attachments/20060515/328d83dd/attachment.htm From jeni at charlesvillage.org Mon May 15 18:30:45 2006 From: jeni at charlesvillage.org (Jeni Spevak) Date: Mon, 15 May 2006 18:30:45 -0400 Subject: [CV Block Leaders] Yard or Alley Sale? Message-ID: <200605151828640.SM01048@OUTREACH> Hi Block Leaders, One of our staff members gave me the lovely suggestion of combining a yard (or alley) sale with the clean up day on June 10th. The idea is that folks could come out, clean up, sell their wares, and then dump anything that didn't sell in the dumpster at the end of the day. We could probably get the dumpster to hang around until about 3pm. If this sounds like a great idea and something you'd like to do, let me know! I'll make extra flyers for it. If you're not into the idea or fear it might make things too complicated on the 10th, I'll just give you clean up flyers without a yard sale ad. But perhaps you might like to organize a block-wide yard sale at another time? It's just another idea to put in your block leader toolbox. Jeni Spevak Block Leader Coordinator Charles Village Community Benefits District 2301 N Charles St - Baltimore, MD 21218 410-235-4411 x16 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://charlesvillage.info/pipermail/blockleaders_charlesvillage.info/attachments/20060515/c2dc1a62/attachment.htm From jeni at charlesvillage.org Wed May 17 13:47:27 2006 From: jeni at charlesvillage.org (Jeni Spevak) Date: Wed, 17 May 2006 13:47:27 -0400 Subject: [CV Block Leaders] Clean Up Date- June 10th Message-ID: <200605171345718.SM01048@OUTREACH> Hi Block Leaders! It's great to hear from many of you about participating in a clean-up on the 10th. Please note that this is not an "official" city clean up date, so you and your neighbors would be required to use your own supplies. If you need extra bags, we may have a few left over to give out. Just come by some time before the 10th and we will do our best to get you what you need. I have been in contact with the city, and unfortuately we will not be able to get a dumpster for June 10th. Apparently they are booked months and months in advance. I have left a message to find out when a dumpster will be available. When I find out I will let you all know. We can still get a dumpster, but it have to be a separate event later in the summer. We can still have the clean up without the dumpster!! Just let me know by the morning of Monday, June 12th where the bags are that need to be picked up, and we will send our clean team to get them. Take care that no bags get too terribly heavy, as we are only able to pick up what we can lift. A note on the idea of a yard sale- this is also something that would be done separately on each block. There is no central location for this, it would just be an opportunity for folks to bring their things out individually. You may not choose to incorporate this, as it may take people away from the clean up. Perhaps a block-wide yard sale day could be scheduled for another time if you choose not to do it on June 10th. It's totally up to you. Just let me know if you do decide to incorparate the yard sale so I can put it on your flyers. That's all for now! You will be getting flyers from me at the end of the month. Thanks!! Jeni Spevak Block Leader Coordinator Charles Village Community Benefits District 2301 N Charles St - Baltimore, MD 21218 410-235-4411 x16 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://charlesvillage.info/pipermail/blockleaders_charlesvillage.info/attachments/20060517/226ae3a2/attachment.htm From jeni at charlesvillage.org Wed May 17 16:13:43 2006 From: jeni at charlesvillage.org (Jeni Spevak) Date: Wed, 17 May 2006 16:13:43 -0400 Subject: [CV Block Leaders] Neighborhood Walkers Program Message-ID: <200605171611953.SM01048@OUTREACH> Hi everyone, Many of you asked for more information on the Neighborhood Walkers program, so I wanted to make sure I get that out to you this week. Unfortunately, what I have isn't too much, but it seems like a simple thing to do. Some years back, the Neighborhood Walkers program was very active. I know that Kirsch (on the 2800 block of Guilford) was very active in it, and perhaps he or any other block leader that was involved will post a message to the group if I've missed any information here. Basically, there are 3-4 people per group who walk through the neighborhood after dark with a cell phone. 911 and 311 are called to report suspicious activity or other issues. Each group decides on a place and time to meet every week and walks whatever route they choose. It sounds like a fun way to keep the neighborhood safer, get some exercise and chat with your neighbors. Any group of concerned citizens can do it, whether they live on the same block or not. At this time, the program seems to be self-directed. I spoke with a fellow who is in the last remaining group, which walks on Thursday evenings. There is no one person who is taking calls and matching people and getting the project going. I would volunteer to be that person, except that my time here is limited and the program really needs continuity, and so that job is best for a permanent community member. So I've left a message for the last person who tried to be the organizer, and I'll see if he is still interested in being the point person for this. In the mean-time, if you and a few of your neighbors or neighborhood friends are interested in putting a group together, go for it! It only takes an hour or so a week and can be done by any group of people with at least one cell phone. Have fun! If I get more information or this program becomes more formalized, I will be sure to let you all know. Jeni Spevak Block Leader Coordinator Charles Village Community Benefits District 2301 N Charles St - Baltimore, MD 21218 410-235-4411 x16 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://charlesvillage.info/pipermail/blockleaders_charlesvillage.info/attachments/20060517/de06b023/attachment.htm From jeni at charlesvillage.org Wed May 17 17:32:21 2006 From: jeni at charlesvillage.org (Jeni Spevak) Date: Wed, 17 May 2006 17:32:21 -0400 Subject: [CV Block Leaders] Additional Information on Neighborhood Walkers Message-ID: <200605171730796.SM01048@OUTREACH> Hi everyone, In a response to the last email I sent about the Neighborhood Walkers, Sharon Guida (of the 2700 block of Maryland Ave) gave me some additional information about the program. It is actually more organized than I understood it to be, and some formal training and guidelines are given to walker groups by the police and the CVCBD safety team. This is good to know! Let me know if you are interested in starting or being in a group. Let me know if your neighbors are interested. Sharon sent me some information, and Shiela Rees (of the Unit block of 30th Street) was once quite involved and should have more materials. Please don't start walking on your own, but contact me first so that I can make sure you get the proper information and training for maximum safety. I'm sorry if my last email was misleading- I am just learning about this program bit by bit, and am still gathering information. I'll pass along whatever I find out. Thanks, Jeni Spevak Block Leader Coordinator Charles Village Community Benefits District 2301 N Charles St - Baltimore, MD 21218 410-235-4411 x16 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://charlesvillage.info/pipermail/blockleaders_charlesvillage.info/attachments/20060517/b6b447b3/attachment.htm From jeni at charlesvillage.org Fri May 19 11:24:24 2006 From: jeni at charlesvillage.org (Jeni Spevak) Date: Fri, 19 May 2006 11:24:24 -0400 Subject: [CV Block Leaders] Out of town Message-ID: <20060519112293.SM01048@OUTREACH> Hello Block Leaders, Today is the last day I will be in the office until May 30th. If you need anything, today's the day to ask! If you need assistance while I'm out call our main line- 410-235-4411. I can also be reached at my personal email account- jeni_spevak at yahoo.com although I can't guarantee how quickly I'll get back to you! See you after Memorial Day, Jeni Spevak Block Leader Coordinator Charles Village Community Benefits District 2301 N Charles St - Baltimore, MD 21218 410-235-4411 x16 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://charlesvillage.info/pipermail/blockleaders_charlesvillage.info/attachments/20060519/01660270/attachment.htm From jeni at charlesvillage.org Tue May 30 12:55:00 2006 From: jeni at charlesvillage.org (Jeni Spevak) Date: Tue, 30 May 2006 12:55:00 -0400 Subject: [CV Block Leaders] (no subject) Message-ID: <200605301252234.SM01048@OUTREACH> Hello Everyone! I'm back in town and back to work. Just wanted to write you all a note about the clean up on June 10th. I will have those flyers out to you by the end of the week, not Wednesday as I was hoping to. There's a lot to catch up on, so I will have these done and out to you before the weekend! Thanks all. See you soon, Jeni Spevak Block Leader Coordinator Charles Village Community Benefits District 2301 N Charles St - Baltimore, MD 21218 410-235-4411 x16 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... 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