Neighbors Who Care – Meeting since 2002

Just wanted to help raise some awareness about a city-wide association of pro-active Beloit residents called “Neighbors Who Care”. They have been meeting since 2002 and focus on learning how to deal with neighborhood situations and providing support and encouragement for Beloit residents. Their meetings are open to the public.

They meet on the 4th Tuesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. over at the Neighborhood Housing Services Building (520 West Grand).

Joseph and Kathy Vickerman head up the group. Just last month was the first time Ana-n-I were able to catch up with them. They’re a very knowledgeable,  plugged in and active group of folks. It was very informative and time very well spent. I would encourage you to mark your calendar and stop by next month Sept. 22nd. We’ve added their meetings to the BNPA calendar here.

Unduplexing — one win at a time

Ana and I had a chance to meet with the “Neighbors Who Care” folks last week over at the NHS offices on Grand. Among the items talked about were homes that originally had been built as single family homes that had been divided up into multi-family units. As many folks may know the city is trying to coax property owners into returning some of these homes back to single-family use.

When I asked how well this was going from the perspective of those in attendance the impression I was left with was that progress has been slow with few homes actually being returned to single family occupancy. Compliance is difficult, particularly with a reluctant owner or occupants as you’d imagine. It was interesting then that just a few days following this we had the opportunity to meet a young family who’s doing just this!

We’d heard from a friend that a young family had moved into 239 St. Lawrence and was in the process of “Unduplexing” the home that had been carved up into four units. Wow! I’ve long admired this distinctive limestone home. You can tell that when built it must have been a very grand home for the area. Not only is it included in the Bluff Street historic district but it’s on the short list identified as a “Pivotal”. Indeed, it is a very cool house. Well, Zack & Terry were brave enough to take on this project house. They moved in from another Beloit neighborhood and are familiar with old-house living.

It’ll be work ahead no doubt but the home looks to have great potential for rehab and improved property value. I think it’ll be a win for them.  I already know their having moved in is a win for the neighborhood.

The early movers (pioneers) buying into distinctive neighborhoods assume the greater risk but also reap the greater reward. As more pioneers discover and move in the neighborhood gets better and values improve. It’s bumpy, it doesnt always happen for sure but there are a number of historic neighborhoods and grand homes I wish I’d invested in if I knew then…

There are some amazing homes around town that sadly have been duplexed. We could use some more Zack-n-Terrys. If you see them be sure to say hi and welcome them.

HELP WANTED: Graphics Artist

The NPA has a handful of printed items and other things we’d like to get into motion including a packet of information for new neighbors. We’d like to provide a form of NPA “Welcome Wagon” packet to accompany a personal welcome. There are other items that have been in discussion as well.

So anyway… we need a logo.

And we’re looking for someone with some graphics skills that might be willing to create something for us. While we’ve a few dollars, what we have we need for our not-for-profit application. So… if we could find someone generous enough to volunteer their talents that would be much appreciated. If we need to wait until we could pay someone what they’re worth it could take us a while.

So anyway… If you have such skills or if you know of someone who does we’d appreciate a hand on this. Just contact us at rick@BeloitNPA.org

Thanks!

Beloit NPA School Board Candidates Forum – Public Invited

Please join us for our
Inaugural School Board Candidates Forum
and bring a friend!

 
• Date: Wednesday March 4th
• Time: 7:00 – 8:30pm
• Location: bushel & pecks (328 State Street)
• Moderator: Jane Threinen

 

This will be a moderated event for the five candidates running for the three open seats in the April 7 election for the school board.

Incumbents:

• Pam Charles – website
• Amy Oselio – website
  

New Candidates:

• Jessica Everson – facebook
• Missy Henderson – website
  
• Tia Johnson – website Facebook

I hate snow shoveling – a better idea from PaulD

Thanks to PaulD a neighbor in the association for telling us about “sleigh shovels”. I’d never heard of such a thing. He then took it a step further finding that if six of us went in together for this quantity we could get a volume discount. One thing leading to another and I’m now the proud owner of a Sleigh Shovel.

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