The Cole Creek Project Awards Trio of Mini-Grants July 9, 2009

OMAHA – Two neighborhood associations and one middle school in the Benson-Ames Alliance are the recipients of 2009 mini-grants from The Cole Creek Project.

Cole Creek, part of Omaha’s local floodplain system, begins south of Sorensen Parkway and flows into the Little Papillion Creek near the intersection of 78th and Cass. The project runs from Sorensen Parkway to Hartman Avenue. It seeks to stabilize the creek, improve its water quality and enhance the recreational use of Orchard Park.

The 2009 mini-grant program, part of the project’s community outreach component, has awarded $1,000.00 to three projects that address stormwater management or water conservation in the Benson-Ames Alliance. The recipients and their projects are listed below.

Clairmont Heights Neighborhood Association
Rain Barrel Project
Twenty-five neighborhood residents interested in having rain barrels on their property will be recruited. The neighborhood association will host a rain barrel workshop day during which the designated participants will build their own rain barrels. The barrels will also be painted and decorated with the assistance of local artist Kim Reid Kuhn, vice president of the association. Photos of the completed barrels will be posted on the association’s web site, and follow-up visits will be conducted with each participant to ensure the barrels are working properly.

We WON!!! May 30, 2009

We received the Omaha by Design  2009 Green Leaf for “Omaha’s Right-of-Way Gardeners” . The award will be on display at the Neighborhood Center through this fall.

Congratulations to Clairmont Heights Gardeners!

Spring Clean Success and Looking Forward! May 30, 2009

A big Thank you goes out  to all the workers from Spring Clean up on May 16th.  We had a great group of very hard workers Tim Butz, Dan Funkhauser, Jim Boyle, Kim Reid Kuhn, Shad Kuhn, Gary VanOsdel, Micheal Pitts, Vince and Rose Emery, Anne Benson, Linda Meyermann, Jeff Saxton, Jeremy Hogan and many more who helped.

Thank you to Barb Jessing for provoding the food and drinks throughout the day.

Clairmont Heights received the Mayor’s Grant for $3,000.00 for stone benches along the Main Island. We hoped to have these installed sometime this summer.

Save your items…..Neighborhood Association Garage Sale in June….call Mary Boyle 556-2382 or Kim Reid Kuhn  502-9946, if you have items to donate.

Looking Ahead.

Block Party in August. Stay tuned!

Upward Tic in Break-Ins May 7, 2009

Several neighbors in our area have reported small garage break ins.  Please let your neighbors know so we can be on the look out and we can double check our garages. Call 911 if you see anyone or anything, you think looks suspicous.  The police can talk to them. They want us to call and report any activity.

I want to know if anyone else in the area had a theft in the last couple weeks?  We want to send a message that we are watching out for one another.

Other great ideas:

- Try to keep your garage area well-lighted.

- If you have a lock on your garage, make sure it is sturdy and in good repair. Keep the garage locked.

- During this time, try not to keep anything too valuable in your garage.

- Do not allow people you don’t know in your garage or near your back yard.

-

It’s Earth MONTH! April 17, 2009

Green Neighbor,

Happy Earth Month!! As you would expect, with Omaha’s Earth Day Celebration approaching (see below for details), there are several fantastic events happening in our community. Please take a moment to check out the great things happening this month.

And remember to always check the Green Omaha Coalition calendar of events for a complete listing of green events in the Omaha area.

Please pass this email along to share these wonderful events with your listserves, Facebook friends, and community.

1. Richard Komp, International Solar Energy Expert and Educator
April 13 – April 27

International solar energy expert and educator, Richard Komp will host several free and open to the public lectures and workshops with area schools from Monday, April 13 through April 27. Check out the Nebraska Solar Energy Society webpage to find a presentation near you.

2. Spring Cleaning. Donate to Habitat ReStore.
Friday, April 17, 1:00-6:00pm
Morrison Stadium Parking Lot (NE corner of 19th St. and Cass St.)

Clean out your home, donate to a good cause, help the environment, and earn a discount! What can you donate?
- Cabinets, Plumbing, Sinks, Tubs, Toilets, Electrical, Windows, Lumber, Plywood, Doors, Roofing, Carpet, Flooring, Tile, Drywall, Furniture.
- Items must still be able to perform their designed function, whether new or used, in good condition.
- If you have something you would like to donate, please refer to the Habitat for Humanity website to find out more information about the specific requirements for donations.
- Donors will receive a 10% off coupon to the Habitat ReStore, redeemable one time. The ReStore is located at 1003 S. 24th St.

3. Why Ride the Bus?…You’ve been Challenged.
April 18 – May 9
For more check out YP Bus Challenge, Facebook, and Twitter

The YPC is organizing the first annual YP Bus Challenge to run from April 18 – May 9. We’re doing this for two reasons. First, to get people on the bus just to try it out. Let’s be honest, most of us haven’t tried, right?

Second, and more importantly, we want to obtain feedback from participants AND those who consider participating but don’t or can’t for one reason or another. MAT is extremely interested in what we’re doing and wants to know what we learn. We hope that the information we gather will allow us to play a part in improving Omahas public transportation system. We’ll be sending all participants a brief survey once the challenge wraps up.

So…get a team of five (or fewer) together, sign-up at www.ypbuschallenge.com and tell us what you think. If you elect not to participate, we want to know why; tell us at ypbuschallenge@gmail.com.

YP Bus Challenge participant who is able to document an Omaha mayoral or city council candidate on a MAT bus during the Challenge will win a free Jimmy John’s sub. Documentation must exist as a picture which can be sent to our email address ypbuschallenge@gmail.com, facebook, twitter or to this cell (681-9458).

Both mayoral candidates have committed to participating, so there’s an opportunity to stalk their daily travel habits and get a free sub!

4. Earth Day Omaha and Electronic Recycling
April 18, noon – 8:00pm
Elmwood Park, Omaha
www.earthdayomaha.org

Admission is free. Highlights include displays, exhibits, and hands-on events from noon to 6 p.m.; food and live music from noon to 8 p.m., and a beer garden from 3 to 8 p.m.

Earth Day Omaha also is teaming with GRX to collect and responsibly recycle electronic devices. GRX will be at Earth Day Omaha from noon to 6 p.m. to accept your devices and will take anything with a plug, except for refrigerators and air conditioners. It’s free; however, an $8 charge applies for computer monitors and a $15 charge applies for certain televisions.

The keynote speaker at Earth Day Omaha is Dr. Richard Komp, an international solar energy expert who has a Ph.D. in physical chemistry and a minor in physics. He has conducted ongoing research on solar panels since 1960 and lives in an off-grid home he designed and built in Maine. Dr. Komp will speak at 4:05 p.m. Find more information at Nebraska Solar Energy Society

5. Fontenelle Forest Free Spring Day
Sunday, April 19, 10am – 4pm
1111 Bellevue Blvd. N., in Bellevue
www.fontenelleforest.org

During our upcoming FREE DAY on Sunday, April 19, we invite you to celebrate Earth Day, enjoy the colors of spring and spend a day with your friends and family at the Fontenelle Forest Nature Center. See the attachments for details.

Psssst…Spring wildflowers only bloom during a short window of time, so now is your chance to check them out…for free! Thank you for helping us promote this fun family event.

6. Cole Creek Open House
April 21, 6:30-8:00pm
6401 Sorenson Parkway
www.colecreek.org

Omahans can learn more about plans to rehabilitate a portion of the city’s Cole Creek at an information open house Tuesday, April 21. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at Roncalli Catholic High School, 6401 Sorensen Parkway, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Cole Creek, part of the city’s local floodplain system, begins south of Sorensen Parkway and flows into the Little Papillion Creek near the intersection of 78th and Cass. The project, a $1.6 million investment in the Ames sector of the Benson-Ames Alliance, runs from Sorensen Parkway to Hartman Avenue. It seeks to stabilize the creek for flood and erosion control, improve its water quality, and enhance it for educational and recreational use.

The open house will include an overview of the construction phases and an information fair. Those who attend will be able to talk with the project team, tour the project site and learn more about ways for individuals and organizations to get involved. One of the goals is to develop a Cole Creek Adopt a Stream Team. Free giveaways will be available while supplies last.

The Cole Creek Project is a partnership of the City of Omaha Departments of Public Works and Parks, Recreation and Public Property; Roncalli Catholic High School; Douglas County; Omaha by Design; the Benson-Ames Alliance; Big Muddy Workshop; Hayes Environmental L.L.C.; Lamp, Rynearson & Associates; and Olsson Associates. It is funded by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District.

Those interested in keeping tabs on the project’s process can do so via www.colecreek.org by subscribing to the site’s blog.

For more information about the open house, contact Omaha by Design at 402.554.4010 or info@omahabydesign.org.

7. Awakening the Dreamer Symposium
Saturday, April 25, 9am-1pm
Unity Church of Omaha, 3424 N. 90th St.
For more information go to Awakening the Dreamer

At the heart of the initiative is the Awakening the Dreamer Changing the Dream Symposium.

Through dynamic group interactions, leading edge information, and inspiring multimedia, participants of this half-day event are inspired to reconnect with their deep concern for our world, and are empowered to make a difference.

Designed with the collaboration of some of the finest scientific, indigenous and activist minds in the world, the Symposium explores the current state of our planet from a new perspective, and connects participants with a powerful global movement to reclaim our future.

Check out the Benson Beat March 23, 2009

Check out a great way to keep tabs on what’s happening in Benson, and it’s free!

To subscribe: · Visit www.BensonBeat.com

· Add your name and email address to the “Subscribe for Updates” section

· Highlight the categories you want to receive info on (art gallery, community organization, concerts and shows, green event, health, news, other, poetry, school, social)

· If you want info on all the categories, highlight each while holding down your control shift key

· Pick how often you want to receive updates (weekly or monthly)

· Hit submit!

Sierra Club Program Bicycling as Commuting March 14, 2009

7pm Thursday, March 26, 2009 First United Methodist Church, 69th & Cass Streets, Omaha (enter north door education wing) Do you want to cut your carbon footprint, and get more physically active at the same time? Help reduce traffic congestion, and help reduce our dependence on foreign oil? Have you considered making bicycling part of your routine? Perhaps even your main mode of transportation? We’ll be discussing bicycling as a means of commuting at our March 26 program. We’ve got a great group of speakers to let you know what is happening in Omaha to make cycling safer and more reliable as a means of getting around town. And these experienced cyclists can give tips on what you need to know if you want to ride smart and ride safe. Our speakers are leaders with Activate Omaha and Bikeable Communities! and include: – Marty Shukert, principal with RDG Planning and Design, and former Director, City of Omaha Planning Department; – Stuart Shell, also with RDG, and board member of the Community Bike Shop; – Kerri Peterson, executive Director of Our Healthy Communities Partnership; – Kent McNeill, founder and owner of Highgear and Trek Bicycle Stores. Our speakers are avid cyclists who will describe the progress Omaha is making towards becoming a bicycle friendly community. We’ll hear about the 20-mile loop program, which has the goal of getting 20 miles of designated bike lanes in the downtown and midtown area, focused on getting east/west routes. We’ll learn about factors to consider in choosing cycling as your main means of transportation, strategies to take with different types of roads, and tips to help you arrive at your destination safely. Come to our March program to find out what you can do to increase your cycling miles while staying safe. Sierra Club programs are free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Mary Green at 556-1830, or mary.green@nebraska.sierraclub.org Live Green, Daniel J. Lawse, Co-Chair Green Omaha Coalition | Green Neighborhood Council www.greenomahacoalition.org

Free Home Repairs! January 14, 2009

Happy New Year!

Catholic Charities Community Services Division will be accepting
applications from elderly, low income and/or disabled homeowners now
through January 25th.  The volunteers will be provided through the Mission
Omaha Foundation, Inc, who will be partnering with Group Workcamps
Foundation, a faith based mission organization, to bring teens from across
the country to the Omaha area June 28 – July 24, 2009 to provide home
repairs to those in need.  This is a project for teens to grow closer with
God and build healthy relationships while repairing homes for those in
need.

Worksite Needs and Requirements

The resident must be elderly, low-income, and or/disabled

The home should have obvious need of repair

The resident should own the home

The resident, or another responsible adult, must be home during the week of
the Workcamp

The work environment is socially and physically safe for teens

Types of Projects Group Workcamps Foundation participants CAN do:

Painting (interior and exterior) (participants will paint homes to a height
of no more than 28 feet)

Mobile home underpinning (skirting) repairs and installation

Limited porch repair or construction

Exterior step repair or construction

Limited wheelchair ramp repairs or construction

Weatherization (caulking, vents, weather-stripping, and insulation)

Types of projects Group Workcamps Foundation participants CANNOT do:

Electrical, Plumbing, Heating, Any roof repairs, Floor tiling,
Windows/Doors, Gutters

To complete an application or for more information contact Marilyn at St
Martin’s de Porres Center

2417 Burdette Street, 341-4004.  The deadline for submitting an application
is January 25, 2009.

Thank you for helping us to reach out to those in need.

Learn Everything You Need to Start a Commnity Garden (green thumb not included) January 9, 2009

This will be a great event to develop and enhance local food production as
Omaha moves towards a more sustainable community.

FROM HERE TO COMMUNITY GARDEN

The Green Omaha Coalition (www.greenomahacoalition.org) is hosting a
Community Garden panel, titled “From Here to Community Garden.”

The purpose of the panel will be to acquaint people with the concept and
benefits of community gardens and provide them with practical information
on how to support and/or start a community garden. Please see below for
details about the event (attachment has speakers listed).

What: “From Here to Community Garden” – A Panel of Community Garden Experts
and Zoning/Land Use representatives
Why:        Share success stories, challenges, and your knowledge about
Community Gardens
When:       Saturday, 24 January 2009 from 10:00 am to 12 noon
Where:      Neighborhood Center, 115 South 49th Avenue – Omaha NE
Topics:     Funding, Volunteers, Leadership, Land Acquisition, Resources,
Case specific stories
Contact:    Trilety Wade at trilety@hotmail.com

Daniel Lawse
Green Omaha Coalition | Green Neighborhood Council

Clairmont Heights- Omaha By Design Report January 7, 2009

Clairmont Heights Neighborhood Association

Place Game Workshop

Holy Name Cafeteria

Sept. 30, 2008

Introduction
The Clairmont Heights Neighborhood Association (CHNA) partnered with Omaha by Design to host a Place Game workshop Sept. 30 at the Holy Name Cafeteria. Association members and local residents were invited to participate. Twenty enthusiastic people attended.

Segments Evaluated

Three segments of the CHNA were selected for evaluation: the east and west ends of the street island at the intersection of Military and Fontenelle, and Fontenelle Boulevard from the street island to Maple Street.

Evaluation Tools

Workshop participants were asked to evaluate their segment of the CHNA according to the four criteria outlined below, which rank responses on a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being “strongly disagree” and 5 being “strongly agree.”

Comfort and image

• Attractive

• Feels safe

• Clean/well maintained

• Comfortable places to sit

Access and linkage

• Identifiable from a distance

• Walkable

• Bikeable

• Accessible by transit

• Clean information/signage

Uses and activities

• Good mix of activities

• Frequent community events

• Area is busy

• Encourages physical activity

• Area is vital economically

Sociability

• People in groups

• Evidence of volunteerism

• Sense of pride and ownership

• Children and seniors present

Workshop participants also were instructed to ask persons who were in the place being evaluated what they liked about it and what they would do to improve it.

General Observations

The streets and public spaces of the Clairmont Heights Neighborhood Association reflect a strong sense of neighborhood pride. Homes, lawns and gardens are well kept for the most part, and residents seem genuinely interested in capitalizing on the area’s history to make their corner of the city an attractive option for current and future residents, neighboring businesses and organizations. Participants are fully aware of the revitalization efforts under way in the Benson-Ames Alliance and Destination Midtown, and they want to be part of this positive momentum.

In terms of the four criteria outlined above, workshop participants ranked the neighborhood’s access/linkage and sociability as its best assets with average scores of 2.9. Comfort and image was a close second with an average score of 2.8, followed by and uses and activities at 2.6.

This group values the area’s mature trees, green spaces, friendly neighbors and the diversity of architectural styles that dot the neighborhood. Concerns fall into three general categories – heavy traffic, maintenance issues and a lack of cohesion regarding the design and implementation of neighborhood improvement projects.

In terms of the island, suggestions for short-term improvements ranged from adding flower beds and benches to painting pedestrian crossings at 45^th/Military/Fontenelle, thus allowing for easier access to the island from the neighborhood. Long-term suggestions ranged from adding a historic marker with an airplane theme to hiring a professional architect to develop a comprehensive improvement plan for the site. Such a plan could help create a strong visual identity for the association and foster additional neighborhood pride and involvement. A seasonal long-term suggestion called for installing a small skating rink on the island during the winter months, much like the rink at the intersection of Happy Hollow and Underwood in the Dundee/Memorial Park Neighborhood Association. This idea only garnered two votes, however.

In terms of Fontenelle Boulevard, suggestions for short-term improvements ranged from cleaning up trash to hosting a community plant exchange that would encourage homeowners to continue beautifying their lawns and gardens. Long-term suggestions ranged from installing historic lights along the boulevard to developing historic signage and public art on every block. A public art theme that reflects the history of the area may mesh well with the expressed desire for historic lighting. It would also help create a unique residential setting that reflects the arts and entertainment revitalization occurring in downtown Benson along Maple Street.

Next Steps

The next stage in the placemaking process is holding a Place Definition workshop. In this workshop, a small group of stakeholders takes the ideas generated from the Place Game process and begins to develop a plan that will help transform them into reality.

For more information about the Place Definition process or to schedule a workshop, contact Teresa Gleason at 402.554.4011 or teresa@omahabydesign.org.

Short-Term Suggestions

• Clean up trash (8)

• Paint pedestrian crossing at 45^th/Military/Fontenelle (7)

• Light flagpole/monument (7)

• Trim and mulch trees, trim shrubs (6)

• Repaint flagpoles/curbs (5)

• Mulch and weed, raise bed, edge (3)

• Add flower beds (3)

• Add trellis over flight marker (2)

• Give out grass seed (1)

• Hire arborist to assess and give recommendations (1)

• Add benches (1)

• Landscape yards, plant trees, community plant exchange

• Add path/trail winding through the length of the island and connecting to other island on the west

• Community garden

Long-Term Suggestions

• Historic signage every block/public art (13)

• Lights along boulevard (11)

• Add water spigot on island for flowers/sprinkler (11)

• Neighborhood marker on east end of island with airplane theme (4)

• Historic lighting along new trail/Dundee lights (4)

• Add hedge to south side of island (4)

• Upgrading sidewalks/trail (3)

• Comprehensive plan/professional architect (3)

• Landscaping and seating (2)

• Add ice skating rink/winter (2)

• Add roundabout at 45^th/Military/Fontenelle (2)

• Sitting area near 45^th Avenue (1)

• Add fountain (1)

• Add ornamental trees

• Add low maintenance perennial shrubs

• Add traffic calming device

GROUP 1 – East end of street island

What do you like best about this place?

• Green space

• Fire station

• The island itself

What is the biggest problem with this place?

• Traffic – volume and speed

• Island maintenance – trash and mowing

List three things that you would do to improve this place that could be done right away and that wouldn’t cost a lot.

• Mulch the trees, prune the trees and trim the shrubs

• Hire an arborist to give an assessment and make recommendations

• Add a path/trail that winds through the length of the island and connects to the other island on the west

• Add flower beds

• Add benches

• Paint pedestrian crossings at intersection of 45^th Street/Military Avenue/Fontenelle Boulevard

• Add a trellis over the flight marker

What three changes would you make in the long term that would have the biggest impact?

• Put in place a neighborhood marker on the east end of the island – this marker would have an airplane theme to support the “first flight” sign

• Add historic lighting along the new trail/path, e.g., Dundee with flower pots

• Add ornamental trees

• Add low maintenance perennial shrubs

• Add a fountain

• Add small sculptures that emphasize neighborhood culture

• Add an ice skating rink in winter, e.g., Happy Hollow @ Underwood

• Add traffic calming device on both streets

• Put in a hedge on south side of the island

• Add a roundabout at the 45^th/Military/Fontenelle intersection

Comments from users of the place.

From Fire Captain Dave:

• Really likes the neighborhood

• Maintains flower bed on northeast corner

• Not sure about roundabout

• Stop sign runners are a problem

What local partnerships or local talent can you identify that could help implement some of your proposed activities? Please be as specific as possible.

• Firefighters

• City of Omaha Department of Parks, Recreation and Public Property

• City of Omaha Department of Public Works

• Omaha Public Power District (lights and trees)

• Rife Construction Co.

• International Painters’ Union

• Mayor’s Neighborhood Grant Program

GROUP 2 – West end of street island

What do you like best about this place?

• Green space

• Open

• Light

• Hill, angle

• Plantings, gardens

• Some organization

• Monument, flagpole

What is the biggest problem with this place?

• Traffic

• Litter, weeds

• Lack of cohesive design

• Flagpole condition

• Not inviting

List three things that you would do to improve this place that could be done right away and that wouldn’t cost a lot.

• Repaint the flagpole/curbs

• Light flagpole/monument

• Mulch and weed, raise bed, edge

What three changes would you make in the long term that would have the biggest impact?

• Sitting area (near 45^th Ave.)

• Public art, sign

• Comprehensive plan (professional architect)

Comments from users of the place.

NA

What local partnerships or local talent can you identify that could help implement some of your proposed activities? Please be as specific as possible.

• Holy Name Church and School

• Businesses

• International Painters’ Union

• The Nifty

• Omaha Fire Department

• Local artists

• Local universities

• Girls Inc.

• Big Mama’s

• Rife Construction Co.

GROUP 3 – Fontenelle Boulevard from island to Maple Street

What do you like best about this place?

• Distance to walk, pedestrian friendly

• Trees, green space

• Well-maintained homes

• Friendly neighbors

• Homeowner landscaping

• Variety of architecture

What is the biggest problem with this place?

• Trash

• Lighting

• Sidewalk maintenance

• Inconsistent curbs

• Maintenance of city property

• Ugly utility boxes

• Safety issues?

List three things that you would do to improve this place that could be done right away and that wouldn’t cost a lot.

• Clean up trash

• Trim trees/branches

• Landscape yards/plant trees/community plant exchange

• Give out grass seed

• Community garden

What three changes would you make in the long term that would have the biggest impact?

• Lights along boulevard

• Historic signage every block/public art

• Landscaping and seating

• Upgrading sidewalks/trail

Comments from users of the place.

NA

What local partnerships or local talent can you identify that could help implement some of your proposed activities? Please be as specific as possible.

• Omaha Public Power District

• Omaha Fire Department

• Arbor Day Foundation

• Church groups

• Girls Inc.

• Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts

• Youth groups

• Community foundations

• City of Omaha

• City of Omaha Department of Parks, Recreation and Public Property

• Benson-Ames Alliance

• Destination Midtown

• Omaha Police Department

• Omaha Together One Community

• Area businesses

10.27.08 ObD