December 2012

Dear Neighbors,

I'm guilty!  I have not posted since June 2012.  That's inexcusable.  But, I will point out immediately that my neighbor, Megan Conn, has gotten a Facebook page started for our group.  (Thank you, Megan!) If you're a Facebook user, look up Garden Tract Society, and find more recent postings there.  

We have had a great fall with Cypress School starting a "Walking School Bus" on Walk to School Day (Oct 6th).  This means Cypress School staff members meet students at the United Methodist Church parking lot, including those dropped off by car who wish to walk! Up to 27 students walk with staff members to school, "picking up" others along the way and enjoying neighborly waves and smiles on their way to school.  This has continued for 2 months now!  Way to go, Cypress Elementary students!

This success was followed by a Neighborhood Cleanup Day right after Halloween, partnering with Cypress Elementary School's Community Helpers Service Group. Despite competing with the AAUW Fall Home Tour, we had a nice turnout and some recognition by the Record Searchlight: http://www.redding.com/news/2012/nov/03/cypress-school-garden-tract-neighbors-spruce-up/
It's nice to see how little things we do for others bring praise from our community.  It was a beautiful day and we collected quite a bit of treasures for the City to haul off.  Thanks, Neighbors!

Our Facebook page allowed us to see how many neighbors are avoiding Safeway shopping due to decreased security and increased loitering/begging/theft at the store.  One neighbor mailed a letter to the District Manager in September 2011 and recent comments prompted us to mail a second letter on behalf of the entire neighborhood.  The letter stated that many neighbors no longer shop there day or night and regaining the business they have lost should more than cover any security costs.

This December, we have the United Methodist Church Gifts for Good community Christmas Faire,
Dec. 2nd from 1 to 4 pm, where there are some wonderful more artsy and world-view type gift-giving ideas. We're also planning a Neighborhood Cookies and Caroling Night, details to be announced (probably Monday, Dec. 17th, 6pm).  We will walk about 3 blocks, enjoy Christmas lights, cookies and good neighbors, and do a little singing along the way!  There's nothing better to keep us in the true spirit of Christmas!

We look forward to more neighbor-time with you!

Sincerely,
Monique Gaido

June 2012

Hello Neighbors!
Although I don't post as often as I'd like, I always have much to tell.

We seem to be experiencing a wave of breakins. Mostly cars, back yards and sheds are visited during the day while people are at work or at night. I believe our best defense is to invest in simple alarms and/or motion lighting when at all possible. Our second strategy is to remain as informed as we can and report suspicious behavior to the police.   If you witness a crime underway = call 911.  To report suspicious behavior, call Dispatch. 225-4564.  

 We celebrated Earth Day with another Neighborhood Cleanup effort and a team of teachers, students and parents from Cypress Elementary School joined us in this effort. See the two team photos at the right?  Way to go, Everyone! It was a beautiful day.

We had shrubbery overgrowing the sidewalk near the canal on Locust St and an email to the City brought almost instant response.  Thank you, City of Redding! 

Along those same lines, we are preparing for our Annual Garden Tract Community Yard Sale, which will be on Saturday, June 23rd.  Flyers are going out to each home this week.  Next week we'll post signs in the neighborhood and advertise in the Record Searchlight, on www.anewscafe.com, and on Craigslist.  We hope you'll set a few hours aside to enjoy our neighborhood, catch up with a few neighbors and do a little shopping!

Lastly, I would like to welcome one of our newest neighbors, Lucia Ross.  With permission, I've included the photo the family posted on Facebook. 
I hope to see many of you at the Yard Sale!!!  Happy Summer!

Sincerely,
Monique Gaido
Chairperson