Ardmore-Sherwood Forest Neighborhood Association

A Neighborhood Association Explodes!

Mar 20, 2007

The neighborhood association accepted their call to arm when Rev. C. King on February 26, 2007 at the neighborhood association meeting expressed the need for the community to figuratively "take up arms", no not guns, but a committment to their
community. Rev. King stressed that the power of the neighborhood association lies in it's commitment to the community.

She introduced , A call to Arms to ignite the power of a neighborhood community.
"One of the biggest mistakes made by neighborhood association is when they plan to meet rather than to act". How is this done?…through active committees.
This means when you meet the committee makes a report about a plan already acted upon.
Understanding the value of each individual in the
community, committee chairpersons should be motivated to be the one person to make a difference on the committee.


Are you willing to commit to a course of action that will empower the community?
The following committees have already been identified:

Citizen Alert Patrol - Volunteer to patrol in our neighborhood. Refer to our front-page article about Citizens Alert Patrol.

Welcome Neighbor - Help plan and implement projects to welcome new residents into our community.

Newsletter - Our newsletter is the main avenue of communication with the Ardmore/Sherwood Forest Neighborhood. It is distributed four times a year to each household within our boundaries. The cost of printing the newsletter is one of the Association's large budget items.

You can help by:
i. Locating sponsors to advertise in our
newsletter.
ii. Preparing newsletters for delivery
(counting, sorting, folding, etc).
iii.Distributing newsletters to each household
(requires walking).

Block Captain - Become a block captain for your neighborhood block.

Safety - Help plan and maintain projects to keep
our neighborhood safe.

Special Projects - Help plan and implement special
neighborhood projects.
i. Block Parties
ii. Neighborhood Garage Sales
iii. Parade Floats

Landscaping - Help plan and implement projects to
maintain and beautify our neighborhood.


The Benefits of Joining Your Neighborhood Association

For just $12-24 a year - yes, a year
- You get all these benefits:

Increased neighborhood safety
A powerful voice in getting City
services
An avenue for leadership development
A way for neighborhoods to
control their future
A sense of accomplishment and
civic pride
A feeling of community belonging
Alert Neighbors program
4-Seasons Program
Block parties
Monthly Meeting
Neighborhood revitalization
(improved property values!)
Regular contact with the Mayor`s Office,
City council,Neighborhood Inspections
Police Department
And the most important reason to join your neighborhood association:
An opportunity to get to know neighbors you might not ordinarily meet!

Speaker of the Month
Sustainability Institute

Energy Conservation
They teach hands-on workshops to residents simple no and low-cost ways to save energy in their homes and reduce their monthly energy bill.

This workshop lasts approximately one hour. Workshop participants are asked to bring a copy of their latest energy and water bill so that we can help document energy costs saved. A take-home energy conservation kit with items in it that will immediately help to conserve energy in the home and educational manual ($55 value) are available at the workshop for only $5.00 for low-income residents in our partner neighborhoods, or $45.00 for all others.

The energy kit, which pays for itself in energy savings in less than 3 weeks, is guaranteed to save homeowners at least 10% off of energy and water bills.
For our average workshop participant, this means a savings of greater than $20 a month, or $240 a year. Just think, installing a kit now could save you more than $1200 over the next 5 years!

211 Hot Line

211 Hotline is a free service provided by Trident United Way. It provides 24 hour supportive listening and crisis intervention to the citizens of the tricounty area. 2-1-1 is not presently available to cell phones users, cell phone users call 918-836-HELP or(918-836-4357).

Simply dial 2-1-1 to access these and other services:
Childcare Services
Clothing
Counseling
Crisis Intervention
Disability Services
Financial Assistance
Food
Senior Services
Utility Assistance

P.I.N.K. H.O.U.S.E. KIDS
Sponsor Zig The Pig Foundation

Pink House kids will be speaking at the Neighborhood association meeting about the new service project they have been working on. They will be speaking on the Zig the Pig Foundation. The topic will be"What's A Zig Ambassador?"

Operation Clean Sweep

Mark Marquez will be heading up Ardmore/Sherwood Forest Operation Clean Sweep. It is hosted by the City of Charleston Parks Department headed up by Karen Buzby who is the department head of Keep Charleston Beautiful.

If you would like to participate in the project and you have projects please contact MarkMarquez at 571-4131.
We are looking for someone to chair the Yard of the Month committee.
We are also asking that the neighborhood ride through be completed prior to the meeting and please be prepared to discuss it at the meeting.11

Livability Court Issues In
Ardmore/Sherwood Forest

In our last meeting we identified the properties that were citied here are some of the citiations.

Yard/Lot Maintenance

Yard/lot maintenance standards are the responsibility of every property owner/resident and include the maintenance of plant material in any right -of way abutting the property. grass-type ground cover cannot be over 12 inches in height, except healthy trees, shrubs, or produce for human consumption grown in a tended and cultivated garden. Weed, poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac must be removed. Vegetation and trees must be trimmed so as not to impair vision or obstruct the travel of motorist.

Trash,Junk and Debris

Trash, junk and debris cannot be left in the yard and must be disposed of properly. This includes junk such as auto parts, appliances, furniture, building materials and tires such as paper, cardboard, plastics, etc.; and debris such as tree trimmings and limbs.

Inoperable motor vehicles

Inoperable motor vehicles must be stored in a fully enclosed structure. a vehicle must appear to be operable and capable of being legally operated. signs of inoperable vehicles are flat tires or missing parts. These vehicles cannot be used for storage or be stored in the yard,street,or driveway.

Outdoor Storage

Outdoor storage is prohibited on residential property. Generally, equipment, materials, or furnishings that would ordinarily not be used outdoors may not be stored outdoors.
You may not keep indoor furniture, household appliances or auto partss outside. You may store building materials outside if they are stacked neatly. You may store these items outside:
firewood
grill
lawn furniture
hoses
tools
play equipment
lawnmower
If you have any questions about livability court you can contact them at 180 Lockwood Blvd.
843-724-7460.

Association Meeting 7PM
James Chapel AME Church
1550 Mulberry Street
Charleston, SC 29407
March 26,2007