December 26, 2007

The Indianapolis Star has an article about Google Maps Street View service. It doesn't have every street in Indy mapped, but it does have a lot (including our neighborhood). If you haven't tried Street View, it is pretty interesting. You get basically stroll down the street viewing the neighborhood from the street.

http://maps.google.com/

"Google has added Indy and seven other cities to its “Street View” service, (http://maps.google.com/) a new twist on Internet mapping that lets users explore 360-degree panoramic photos of cityscapes and even residential streets.
Catching offbeat images in Street View has become the subject of a blog devoted entirely to the subject.

The images, including a police officer pulling over a driver, car accidents or attractive joggers, are at http://www.streetviewfun.com/.

Indianapolis' one appearance on the site comes when a Google camera catches a horse at a strange angle, making it appear as if it's headless.'

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071226/LOCAL/71226008

December 18, 2007


HOLIDAY NOTICE:

Christmas and New Year’s Day Trash Collection

Curbside recycling and trash collection will operate on a slide schedule during holiday weeks

Indianapolis – The Indianapolis Department of Public Works would like to remind residents that there will be NO curbside recycling, residential or heavy trash collection on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day Tuesday, December 25 and Tuesday, January 1 in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays.

Monday collections will be as normal on December 24 and 31. All other collections will run one day late for the remainder of the week. Tuesday routes will be collected on Wednesday, Wednesday on Thursday, Thursday on Friday and Friday collections will be made on Saturday for both weeks. All routes will return to normal schedules on Monday, January 7.

December 3, 2007

Things have slowed up for the neighborhood association for the next couple of months. We will resume our monthly board meeting for all of those interested again on the second Wednesday in February 2008. February 13th at 7:00PM at University Heights Methodist Church.

Until then keep an eye out here for news regarding the neighborhood.

-Greg

November 15, 2007

Just a reminder: When you take out all of your old turkey bones and tater skins and cranberry cans for the trash after Thanksgiving next week, remember trash day will have been pushed back to give our trashmen the good day off. So set it out on Saturday, Nov. 24th.

-Greg


The Indianapolis Department of Public Works would like to remind residents that curbside recycling, leaf and residential and heavy trash collection will operate on a slide schedule next week in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

November 2, 2007

You Rake it, we’ll take it


Indianapolis – The Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) will soon begin to collect fallen leaves throughout Marion County. Last year, more than 20 million pounds of leaves were collected during the annual leaf collection program.


From Monday, November 5 through Friday, November 30, up to 40 bags will be picked up in hand-collection areas each week; No more than 10 items may be regular household trash. In automated collection areas, where customers use a 96-gallon cart for their regular trash, 30 bags of leaves will be collected each week. All leaves must be bagged and placed at least 3 feet away from the cart to allow DPW trucks to continue to service the cart.


To ensure a successful collection effort, Indianapolis residents are asked to follow these simple guidelines:

*

Place leaves in plastic or paper bags
*

Place leaf bags out by 7 a.m. on your regular trash day
*

Clearly identify and separate bags of leaves from regular trash (Place them on opposite sides of the driveway, place in different colored bags, or use different color tie wraps)


Because leaves can be recycled into a useful end product, DPW composts the leaves collected and makes them available to the public free of charge. Compost can be used as a soil conditioner, potting soil or mulch. Using compost improves soil aeration, drainage and nutrient exchange – improving the health of lawns and helping gardens grow. Free compost from last year’s program may now be available at the Southside Landfill, 2577 S. Kentucky Ave., (317) 247-6808


As a reminder, it is illegal to burn leaves in Marion County. Smoke from burning leaves pollutes the air with many harmful particles, and is hazardous to young children and people with heart and lung disease.


Residents also should take special care to ensure that sewer inlets and drainage pipes are kept clear of leaves and debris to avoid serious drainage and flooding problems.


For further information please call the Mayor’s Action Center at 327.4622 or visit www.RecycleIndianapolis.org.


-30-

October 26, 2007

Fall Family Festival - Free
Sunday, October 28
3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
University Heights United Methodist Church
4002 Otterbein Avenue
317-787-5347

Come and help us celebrate the arrival of fall with an event sponsored by the church and the Children's Center.

Food andfun will be on the agenda. There will also be prizes for games, plus cookies and snacks and booths. Children may dress in their costumes for this fun event.
Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What can we do with our leaves and small branches during this fall season?

A: Our City will start collecting your leaves and small branches from November 5-30th. You will be allowed 30 bags of leaves along with your normal trash. Small branches will be picked up as well as long as they are cut in to 3’ lengths and bundled together. Place them beside your trash and they will be picked up along with your trash pickup.

A Job Well Done!

On October 22, Officer Malachi West responded to a burglary in progress in the Port O Call Apartments. Suspect information was provided by an eye witness and this information was broadcast to the responding officers. Two male suspects driving a white Ford Crown Victoria were seen leaving the apartment complex. Officer West was enroute to the scene and observed the suspect vehicle enter I-465 in a northbound direction of travel from Rockville Rd. He pursued the vehicle to 10th and Beachway Drive where he was able to bring the vehicle to a stop. The two male subjects inside the vehicle matched the description of the burglary suspects, and further observed a large screen television in the rear seat area of the car. During this investigation, Officer West found that one of the suspects had an extensive criminal history. Assisting Officers responded to the scene of the burglary and confirmed that the apartment has been ransacked and that a television was stolen from the interior of the apartment. Officer West then conducted a show-up line up which resulted in both the suspects being positively identified as the persons responsible for the burglary. Both suspects were arrested for residential burglary. Officer West’s prompt response and outstanding observational skills resulting the apprehension of two burglary suspects. I hope you will join me in congratulating Officer West for a job very well done.

October 18, 2007

Wednesday, October 31, Trick or Treaters will be out and about in the neighborhood. If you want to partake, turn your porch light on between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

University of Indianapolis police will be patrolling the neighborhood.

It should be a safe fun time.

October 15, 2007

Are you using standard old light bulbs? At first glance they are cheap. But when you add up how much it cost you to use regular old incandescent bulbs you'll soon realize how much they really cost.

Incandescent bulbs waste 90 percent of their energy generating heat. The "fuel" efficiency of a CFL is like replacing a car that gets 20 miles per gallon with one that gets 100 miles per gallon.

Replacing incandescent bulbs with CFLs lower the electrical bill for lighting up to 75%. If you replaced 20 75-watt incandescent bulbs with 23-watt CFLs, you would save 1,040 watts for every hour that the lamps burned. At five hours per day, this means saving over 2,000 kWh or about $208 back in your pocket every year. (Replace them with a 20-watt CFL and save more – but slightly less light.)

Now through the end of the year, IPL is offering immediate in-store rebates on compact florescent lights. I went to Cardwell Do It Best at 3025 Madison Ave. last week and bought three bulbs at one dollar each. That is a great deal. Many local hardware stores are offering this promotion. Save yourself money and save our world.

From Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, 2007 (or while supplies last), Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL) is encouraging Indianapolis residents to “Change the World” one light at a time by replacing the bulbs in their home’s five most frequently used light fixtures with ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs. In the average home, the most frequently used fixtures are: kitchen ceiling dome light, living room table lamp, living room floor lamp, bathroom vanity light and outdoor porch or post lamp. By making this change, a household could save up to $30 a year in energy costs.

More details here:
http://www.iplpower.com/ipl/index?page=IPLNewsDetail2&Menu=06040000&id=02039194d3720115576435fe007f46

Along these lines, consider the following:
Public awareness campaign to ensure fluorescent lighting is properly disposed

INDIANAPOLIS – As part of the national ‘Change a Light, Change the World’ campaign, the Indianapolis Department of Public Works is launching an awareness campaign to remind residents and businesses to properly dispose of fluorescent lighting.

Fluorescent light tubes and compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs, contain a small amount of mercury, a toxic substance harmful to humans and animals. Properly disposing of these used lights helps keep mercury out of our air, land and water.

Fluorescent lighting brought to one of the city’s ToxDrop locations ensures the mercury is removed and reused. ToxDrop locations, dates and times include:



· Open the first and third Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

o IMPD Training Facility, 9049 E. 10th St.

o Trader’s Point, 7550 N. Lafayette Rd.

· Open the second and fourth Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

o Perry Township Government Center, 4925 S. Shelby St.

· Open Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m.

o Belmont Ave. Collection Facility, 2700 S. Belmont Ave.



Businesses that generate less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste each month can also take advantage of the ToxDrop program. Simply call 327-4TOX to arrange an appointment for collection. Larger monthly users of fluorescent and other types of energy-efficient lighting should work with a private recycler.

As part of the ‘dispose it right’ campaign, DPW will be inviting local businesses to take advantage of a lighting recycling promotion. Thanks to a mercury awareness grant, the city will be offering businesses a one-use, pre-paid box to properly dispose of fluorescent lighting. After the box is filled with up to 64 four-foot or 30 eight-foot fluorescent tubes, the box is mailed to a vendor who ensures the contents are properly recycled. Supplies are limited. To learn more, call (317) 327-4TOX.

For more information about Change A Light, Dispose it Right, visit www.IndyGov.org/CFL.

October 12, 2007

Here is an article discussing the 19th annual Celebration of the Flags at U of I. I wish it was on a Saturday. I wouldn't mind attending. It is great that a place of learning like U of I can help enlighten ALL of us in this world we share.

Salute to unity | IndyStar.com

September 24, 2007

Your neighborhood association invites you to its fall meeting. Topics on the agenda include alley reconstruction, problems in the neighborhood and plans for next year's Great American Cleanup. Come learn what is happening in the neighborhood and meet your neighbors.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007
7 p.m.

University Heights Methodist Church
4002 Otterbein Ave.

Upcoming Events

• Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007 – Trick or Treat from 6-8 p.m.
• Saturday, May 10, 2008 – Great American Cleanup
• Saturday, May 17, 2008 – Community Yard Sale

Visit our Web site at www.uheights.us

Contact Denny Rusher for more information at 965-4966




Download the Flier for our Fall 2007 Neighborhood Meeting

September 6, 2007

Every year I like to post our University Heights "Be A Good Neighbor" letter. Many of our neighbors come from diverse backgrounds and different parts of the country. This letter may be used as tool to express what the 'norms' are living in our neighborhood. It is in the RTF format which means it may be opened by most word processors. Feel free to distribute it where you see fit.

To download, go here:

http://cid-99edc6e233d6eb7a.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Public/

August 2, 2007

Today most of us have some highly toxic items sitting around our house collecting dust. TVs and Computer Monitors. Cell phones and broken smoke detectors. Don't throw these in the trash. That causes them to get in our air and water. Instead go here:

Indianapolis Recycling!
Summer recycling
extravaganza!

tires ● cardboard ● toner cartridges
computers ● laser and ink jet printer cartridges
cell phones ● televisions ● electronics
Saturday, August 4, 2007
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Four Indy Parks locations:
For this Saturday only, all three ToxDrop locations
will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information,
visit www.RecycleIndianapolis.org.
The Summer Recycling Extravaganza is sponsored by:
Indianapolis Department of Public Works Indianapolis Animal Care and Control
Marion County Health Department

May 15, 2007

This Saturday, May 19, haul out your goods. Prepare to sell that old lawn tractor, bowling ball, and set of gold plated fishing lures.

Tomorrow May 17th watch for an ad in the Indianapolis Star. Signs will be placed at Lawrence/Shelby, Otterbein/Hanna, Keystone/Radcliff and Asbury/Hanna beginning Thursday afternoon.

The weather is supposed to be good so get ready to sell your rummage.

Good luck, Greg.

May 3, 2007

University of Indianapolis
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful,
Gateway Business Alliance
and UHNA would like to thank the following sponsors who made our inaugural 2007 campaign a success.

Acoustic Catfish
B & R Services
Cardwell Do-It-Best Home Center
Coca-Cola
Enzo Pizza
Fifth Third Bank
Fleck Photography
Follett’s Bookstore
Insty-Prints
Katherine Fries (artwork)
Eli Lilly and Company Foundation
National City Bank
National Financial Group
Office Depot
People Helping People Network
WICR
Perry Brothers Auto Sales
Polk Food Service
Starbucks Coffee
Triland Properties

Along with the above sponsors, about 200 plus students from U of I participated alongside long time residents and community members. The City of Indianapolis was also cooperative in many ways.

I even got to work with a group of kids from Indianapolis Juvenile Correction, escorted by a volunteer from Rolls-Royce Corporation.

Together we filled two full trailer length dumpsters, plus the packer truck from the City an unknown amount of times with refuse, debris, and trash. Collectively, we can do some neat things.

Southside sweep | IndyStar.com

See the Follow-Up to Our Clean-Up, in Today's Indy Star

May 2, 2007

Wednesday, May 9th, 7:00 p.m.
UHNA Board Meeting at the University Heights United Methodist Church

Tuesday, May 15, 7:00 p.m.
City of Indianapolis Planning Division Public Forum on the Shelby Street Corridor Study at University Heights United Methodist Church

Saturday, May 19, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Neighborhood Yard Sale. The UHNA will purchase advertisement in the local papers.
All you have to do is set up shop in time for the buyers.

Wednesday, October 10, 7:00 p.m.
Fall Neighborhood Meeting at University Heights United Methodist Church
Watch here for more details, but just walking around our neighborhood will show that the neighborhood clean-up was a success. Many volunteers from the neighborhood, U of I, the Southside business community and the city helped pull it off.

We filled two large dumpsters with debris, brush, and trash. A packer truck from the city was filled a couple of times. All finished by 2:00PM before a brief thunderstorm rolled through.

Thanks for all of your support.

Greg

April 23, 2007

The Great American Clean-Up will focus on our neighborhood this weekend.

In partnership with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, the new Gateway Business Alliance and the University Heights Neighborhood Association, UIndy is pre-registering volunteers willing to help clean the University Heights neighborhood as part of an ongoing restoration process on Indianapolis' south side.

The Great American Cleanup is the first of three events this year sponsored by the Gateway Business Alliance to encourage the revitalization of the city's Southside.
This is the first year for the cleanup, which is planned to expand into other neighborhoods in the coming years. The sponsoring organizations are hoping to rally residents to come out in support of their community.
"When four volunteer organizations come together to make something happen, it is a significant accomplishment," said David Wantz, associate vice president for community relations at UIndy. "This is a great way for businesses and community members to come together, get involved and take pride in their neighborhood."
As an added incentive, volunteers will receive free breakfast, sponsored by Starbucks, and lunch. Those who pre-register also will receive a free T-shirt. If you can't pre-register, show up Saturday and we'll put you to a good use. The schedule for the day is as follows:

7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. - Registration & Breakfast
8:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. - Welcome Ceremony
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Neighborhood Cleanup
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Lunch & Entertainment

Where: Registration, breakfast, and lunch will take place at the Stierwalt Alumni House parking lot. The clean-up will take place throughout the neighborhood.

Contact: Marianna Kalli at (317) 916-9375, kallim@uindy.edu
or Eric Raider at (317) 788-3357, raiderwe@uindy.edu

April 10, 2007

 

Don't forget. 7:00PM Wednesday meet at the University Heights United Methodist Church at Otterbein and Hanna.
See you there.

-- Greg
Posted by Picasa

April 2, 2007

Join us Wednesday, April 11, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. for our Annual Spring Meeting. The focus of the meeting will cover our upcoming Neighborhood Clean-Up, scheduled for Saturday, April 28. Our annual meeting will take place at the University Heights United Methodist Church at the corner of Otterbein and Hanna Avenue. Look for signs at the church. Parking is on the west side of the church.

The Neighborhood Board has been meeting monthly. Current committees are Public Safety, Social Activities, Marketing, Great American Clean-Up and University Relations and Information. If you would like to volunteer for a committee, please notify Denny Rusher at the Spring Meeting or 788-7019.

The University Heights Neighborhood Clean-Up will be a partnership between the Gateway Business Alliance, the Unversity of Indianapolis, and our neighborhood, with some help from the City of Indianapolis and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful.

Other topics may include a neighborhood wide yard sale, the National Night Out, etc.

March 19, 2007

The University Heights Neighborhood Clean-Up, our local part of the Great American Clean-Up, will be a partnership between the Gateway Business Alliance, the University of Indianapolis, and our neighborhood with help from the City of Indianapolis and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful.

The event will take place the morning of Saturday, April 28, 2007. Stay tuned for more details.

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! Section Leaders, Block Captains, and workers. We will have 200 plus student volunteers from U of I. The focus of our clean-up will be alleys and curbs. If you would like to volunteer, contact Brian Hurrle (782-0789, or brianandagenia@yahoo.com)
Morning coffee, T-shirts and lunch will be provided for all volunteers.

Contacts:
Neighborhood Concerns: Denny Rusher– President 788-7019
Website: Greg Filter 777-0751
Great American Cleanup- Brian Hurrle– Chairman 782-0789

March 12, 2007

 
Posted by Picasa

This second Wednesday of the month of March, 3/14/07 will see another U-Heights Board meeting. Anyone interested in participating in the board and doing any legwork for the University Heights Neighborhood Association please meet at the University Heights United Methodist Church at the corner of Otterbein and Hanna at 7 p.m.

Look for signs.

Topics will include gearing up for the Keep Our Neighborhood Beautiful neighborhood clean-up this April.

--

On a different topic, I must say that the University of Indianapolis has been doing a great job through programs and education to reduce tensions between students and year round residents.

A while back noise and other problems seemed more common than they currently are.

--

Spring is right around the corner.

Sincerely,
Greg Filter