February 09 Newsletter (text only)
Bates Hendricks Assessing Abandoned Houses
If you see people with clipboards standing in front of abandoned houses in our neighborhood this month, they are probably your neighbors. About twelve Bates Hendricks neighbors were trained by the Indianapolis Land Bank in January to assess abandoned houses. The goal of this program – No House Left Behind - is to identify every vacant and abandoned property in our neighborhood. These properties will be assessed for damage and decay and prioritized for city and non-profit services.
In March, our neighborhood association meeting will present the results of their assessment and highlight the thirty houses most in need of action. The city has promised to work with us to address these homes – with code compliance, legal action, and even demolition if necessary. We also hope to help SEND acquire some of these properties for rehab.
Chili Contest and Luncheon at Maria’s February 21st 11a.m.to 1 p.m.
The South New Jersey Street Esplanade Association is sponsoring the chili contest and luncheon. The chili and homemade desserts are free with the hope that those that come will make a donation to help maintain the Esplanade between Terrace and Lincoln Streets. Only those donating will be given a vote Everyone is invited. Bring a friend of the whole office! Those wishing to compete should bring 1 gallon of chili and RSVP with Greg Allen 972-4484 by February 14th.
February Meeting Focuses on Addiction
On Monday, February 2nd, at 6:30 p.m. at the Immanuel United Church of Christ at the corner of East and Prospect Streets, the Bates Hendricks Neighborhood Association will welcome Dennis Bender, Director of the Progress House, as our guest speaker. Progress House is a local halfway house for men overcoming alcohol addictions. Mr. Bender will talk about their program and the other resources near our neighborhood.
In addition, Tom Walker from IPL will be in attendance to discuss the tree pruning that IPL plans to conduct in our neighborhood this spring. If you have a tree close to the power lines, you will want to come prepared with your questions. As always, we will also have representatives from the police and city to respond to concerns.
911 Information
When we see red lights flashing outside your house, almost all of us ask, “What’s happening?” Most of us are too timid to go outside and ask. Now we don’t have to. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department offers a new service that allows you to know the basic reasons for police, fire, and ambulance runs. Simply go Indy911Calls.com and type in your address. The site will provide you will information about all the recent calls near your home.
From the President:
We’re beginning to see the impact of the recession on our neighborhood.
Last week, I helped one of our neighbors, who’d been laid off, move his family of four from a three bedroom house to a one bedroom apartment. Another neighbor called to tell me that the house across the street from him was in foreclosure. Major Myers is warning that petty theft and burglaries are on the rise. In one instance, the thieves took all the food from the pantry. A foundation that has given our neighborhood money over the past ten years is cutting back their funding. SEND is having difficulty selling the homes they are rehabbing. City and state services are being cut.
In the midst of this crisis, there are many options. We can ignore our neighbors’ plight, install alarm systems, cut our charity giving, and demand the government do something. We can see our homes as fortresses and hide behind our four walls. Or, we can realize that part of being a neighbor is caring for one another.
I encourage you to reach out to your neighbors. Most people are too embarrassed to ask for help. So don’t make them. Ask the people around you how they are doing. If they’re having a rough time, ask how you can help. I will always remember early in my own life when my wife and I were having a rough time making ends meet. Someone, I still do not know who, put two fifty dollar bills in an envelope and mailed them to us. That money didn’t solve all of our problems, but it kept us going.
There are many things about this recession that are out of our control, but how we treat our neighbors is not. I refuse to see my neighbors as threats, competitors, or someone else’s problem. What will make our neighborhood great is not the monetary value of our homes, but the strength and resilience of our relationships.
Jim Mulholland
Addiction Help
This month’s neighborhood meeting focuses on addictions, and the resources that are available if you or someone you know is in need of help. Here is a list of a few organizations that could help:
Community Addiction Services of Indiana, Inc. (CASI)
Outpatient services: drug, alcohol, and gambling treatment.
1125 Brookside Ave, Suite I, Indianapolis, IN 46202
317-536-7101
Email: CASI@communityaddicationservices.org
www.communityaddictionservices.org
Family Service of Central Indiana
Domestic violence, child abuse, exploitation and abandonment of the elderly, financial instability,
and chemical dependency.
615 N. Alabama St., Ste 320, Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-634-6341
Email: info@family-service-inc.org
Fairbanks Addiction Treatment Center
Alcohol and drug abuse and the chronic illness of addiction.
8102 Clearvista Parkway, Indianapolis, IN 46256
317-849-8222
Hamilton Center, Inc.
Services are provided to children, adolescents and adults, with specialized programs for
pregnant women, infants, and people with drug and alcohol problems. Counseling services are
provided for people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as
well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, serious mental illnesses.
2160 N. Illinois, Indianapolis, IN 46202
317-937-3700
Monthly Recipe: Sugar Cream Pie
This recipe looks like it is soon to become the official state pie. It is from Nick’s Kitchen in Huntington courtesy of the Indianapolis Star. Its easy, fast, and fabulous!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup White Sugar
1/2 Cup Flour
2 Cups Whipping Cream
1Teaspoon Vanilla
1 Tablespoon Butter
Cinnamon Sugar
Cooking: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Crumble sugars and flour with fingers in a mixing bowl. Add cream and vanilla and blend. Pour into an unbaked pie shell and dot with butter, then sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Bake for at least one hour, or until it is bubbly on top to center and still a bit jiggly. Cool on a rack before cutting. Diabetics, can substitute Splenda@ brown and white sugar substitutes without loosing texture or taste.
Bates Hendricks
Indy’s Next Great Neighborhood!
The Bates Hendricks Neighborhood Association will work to improve the quality of life of those living in the neighborhood through efforts to assure safety, to maintain or improve the living environment and to enhance the spirit of cooperation and neighborliness among all residents.
Meetings are on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 402 Prospect St. Annual dues are $3 for individuals, $5 for families, and $25 for business. Please mail dues to Emily Vanest, 720 Sanders, Indpls. 46203.
For more information or with neighborhood concerns, contact Jim Mulholland at 636-5096
This newsletter is brought to you through
the support of the following neighborhood businesses:
Regions Bank
Sister’s Restaurant
Screen Mobile
Campbell Ventilation
Immanuel United Church of Christ
Make certain to thank them for their support!
February Calendar
February 2 - Bates Hendricks Neighborhood Association Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Immanuel United Church of Christ.
February 8 – Make Your Own Valentines, 2 – 3 p.m., Garfield Park Conservatory. Come to the Conservatory and try your hand at making creative Valentine’s Day Cards out of different natural materials. All supplies will be provided, just bring your creativity. Program fee $5. Registration required 327-7580 (Ages 5-12).
February 14 – Valentines Day – Don’t forget to do something special for the ones you love!
February 21- Chili Contest and Luncheon at Maria’s on Prospect next to the Fountain Square Library
February 23 – Mardi Gras Mask Celebration, 4:00 p.m., Fountain Square Library Branch. School-age children and teens are invited to make their own Mardi Gras mask. All material will be provided. For more information call 317-275-4390.