Historic Home Owners Fair

What a day! Attended and participated in the Historic Homeowner's Fair at Jefferson High School. What a fun day! Lots of networking and sharing of ideas. Caught up with friends from other historic neighborhoods and made new ones! I'm always amazed how many folk know about Dignowity Hill! Met some potential new neighbors. Exciting, can't wait to see how they will do with the place they are buying!

Mystery Solved

The historic street signs have been going up in the historic district for the last several weeks. But up until this weekend no one had actually seen any city crews installing the signs. The signs seemed to magically appear from one day to the next on different intersections in the neighborhood. Well, I finally spotted a crew installing some signs this weekend. I caught up with Mr Romo and Mr Gonzalez from the city's public works department working on the corner of Olive and Lamar. Looking good!

Bowden School Supply Drive a Great Success!

The school supply drive for Bowden Elementary School was a great success! The neighborhood association in partnership with several businesses and other groups presented the school with backpacks and school supplies that will be used by the teachers and students through out the coming school year. Thanks to all who contributed and helped make this come together!

Alamo Brewery Proposal Gets the Nod

The neighborhood has spoken! The neighborhood association has officially taken a stance in supporting the proposed micro brewery concept next to the Hays Street Bridge. The city and our council woman have been standing on the sidelines and telling everyone that support from the neighborhood for the brewery was critical in moving forward. At this week's association meeting the members present voted to support the brewery rather than seeing another park come into the neighborhood. So the message has now been delivered!

Historic Street Signs

After over a year of raising funds and working with the city the first historic street signs have been installed in the Dignowity Hill Historic District! Check them out!

Brewery Idea is Good

This past week there's been a lot of media attention regarding the proposed brewery operations that Alamo Brewery wants to build next to the Hays Street Bridge. I have to say that the idea of a brewery so close to our historic neighborhood has the potential to literally change the landscape in regards to economic and commercial development. What I'm hearing from my neighbors is all good and the idea of a brewery has a lot of appeal for changing a neighborhood like ours.

Honestly, adding another park to the neighborhood, while a noble proposition, will not generate economic activity. We have two great parks just blocks away from the Hays Street Bridge and in the time we have lived in the neighborhood I haven't seen any commercial activity start up because of the parks.

Personally I would like to see this brewery idea come to fruition. It just makes sense.









View of the Hays St Bridge at sunset. Night view of downtown SA from bridge.

How to Build Community

Turn off your TV- Leave your house
Know your neighbors - Look up when you are walking
Greet people -Sit on your stoop
Plant Flowers - Use your library Play together
Buy from local merchants -Share what you have
Help a lost dog -Take children to the park
Garden Together -Support Neighborhood Schools
Fix it even if you didn't break it
Have Pot Lucks- Honor Elders
Pick Up Litter - Read Stories Aloud
Dance in the Street- Talk to the Mail Carrier
Listen to the Birds -Put up a Swing
Help Carry Something Heavy -Barter For Your Goods
Start A Tradition- Ask A Question
Hire Young People for Odd Jobs- Organize a Block Party
Bake Extra and Share- Ask For Help When You Need It
Open Your Shades -Sing Together
Share Your Skills -Take Back the Night
Turn Up The Music -Turn Down The Music
Listen Before You react To Anger
Mediate A Conflict -Seek To Understand
Learn From New And Uncomfortable Angles
Know That No One is Silent Though Many Are Not Heard
Work To Change This

Source: Syracuse Cultural Workers Poster: How to Build Community