Stop the negativity and appreciate South Bend's gifts
MICHIANA POINT OF VIEW
MARY ROEMER
An e-mail from friends was sent to me recently from people who support South Bend. When I read it, I felt gratitude and relief that some people were picking up the ball and expressing appreciation for what we have in South Bend. They are meeting in groups to talk about our city, in terms of support and appreciation and pride.
Negativity is too slippery an attitude not to recognize and amend. A positive attitude is contagious. So, thanks to all of you who are participating in this current effort of promoting straight-up, healthy and positive outlooks.
My family goes back in this community to Elisha Luther, a stagecoach driver between Chicago and Detroit, who was buried in 1812 in the Hamilton Grove Cemetery. Growing up on Angela Boulevard, my five brothers and I were blessed to have wonderful parents who fostered in us a love of learning and a sense of obligation to contribute to the world in which we live. A major irritation for my mother was to hear complaints about South Bend from people who didn't give back.
Some years ago, after my children were grown, I thought it might be a good time to consider moving from South Bend. After all, I had lived most of my life here -- perhaps a change and a challenge were in order. So, I weighed the idea and set out some criteria for my choice of location: four seasons was a must; also, proximity to a major university; easy reach to either mountains or a body of water you couldn't see across; and a short route to a large metropolis. Hmm. I never left.
Quite recently, I read one of those magazine articles about The Ideal City. You know the kind. I made a list, measuring what the magazine editors considered livability and feeling of personal satisfaction existing in some cities compared with South Bend. What I discovered was not a shock, but it was a surprising affirmation of our town.
Affordable residences; lots of trees and trails; a diversity and multitude of cultural opportunities; a fine regional symphony; a mix of museums, including a world class art museum; a farmers' market providing fresh, low-cost food grown within 100 miles; good libraries and a healthy percentage of people who care about literature and learning; movie theaters featuring art films, foreign films and documentaries; community parks scattered throughout; a diversity of religions and strong religious beliefs; and a soul big enough to care for the less fortunate, the struggling and those in need. And with all of that, there is enough room for improvement and plenty of opportunity to contribute.
Unquestionably, among any good city's needs are money, visionary leadership, inspiring architecture and a sense of pizzazz. As we continue to make that happen, we can rejoice in the beginning of renewal of the downtown, in the development of the East Race Village, in the creation of the Eddy Street Commons and in the vitality of some of our neighborhoods. We need to continue to carefully assess how we might be carving thoroughfares that will slice and divide some neighborhoods, thereby making bicycle riding and children's crossing treacherous. We should work diligently as residents with the state Department of Transportation to create intersections that enhance, not injure, the surroundings. We surely will continue to nurture our namesake, the St. Joseph River and its banks.
In my office, I have a coffee cup that is inscribed with the South Bend slogan, Alive with Pride. That cup is one of my favorites.
Mary Roemer lives in South Bend
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
The Lighting of the Village
This event sounds like a wonderful family tradition to begin in South Bend.
Come one, come all to the Lighting of the Village
On Friday, Nov 23, the entire community is invited to the first ever Lighting of the Village.
The East Bank Village of downtown South Bend will be transformed into a magical, beautiful hamlet full of lights, carolers, and street performers including the cast from SBCT's, A Christmas Carol!
The community is welcome to begin gathering at 5pm at the Howard Park ice rink (219 S. St. Louis) to meet Santa and enjoy caroling.
5:30pm - Lighting of the Village celebration will begin!
Every church bell will ring as the Village becomes awash in beautiful lights; a breathtaking experience!
Bring bells to ring.
Enjoy dinner at one of several neighborhood restaurants and shopping at the eclectic stores, where you are sure to find the perfect, unique gift.
Email hip_pocket_southbend@yahoo.com for information.
Be the first to experience what will become a beloved family tradition in the East Bank Village of downtown South Bend.
Come one, come all to the Lighting of the Village
On Friday, Nov 23, the entire community is invited to the first ever Lighting of the Village.
The East Bank Village of downtown South Bend will be transformed into a magical, beautiful hamlet full of lights, carolers, and street performers including the cast from SBCT's, A Christmas Carol!
The community is welcome to begin gathering at 5pm at the Howard Park ice rink (219 S. St. Louis) to meet Santa and enjoy caroling.
5:30pm - Lighting of the Village celebration will begin!
Every church bell will ring as the Village becomes awash in beautiful lights; a breathtaking experience!
Bring bells to ring.
Enjoy dinner at one of several neighborhood restaurants and shopping at the eclectic stores, where you are sure to find the perfect, unique gift.
Email hip_pocket_southbend@yahoo.com for information.
Be the first to experience what will become a beloved family tradition in the East Bank Village of downtown South Bend.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Got yours yet?
Do you have your sticker yet???
This is the new sticker put out by Citizens for Progress. We're going to show our pride in South Bend!
If you don't have one yet, contact us at info@hopenotfear.org but you'd better hurry because they're going like hotcakes!
Apparently, there are A LOT of people in South Bend who have HOPE and PRIDE in our city!
Friday, November 9, 2007
Musical performance and film screening at the South Bend Greenhouse
ANOTHER FANTASTIC PLANET!
MONDAY NOVEMBER 12th. 7pm sharp. (Show starts early!!)
Potawatomi Greenhouse, 2105 Mishawaka Avenue, (574)-235-9442
All Ages Welcome
The Lineup:
ENUMA ELISH -- (Boston) Electro acoustic jazz rock experimentalists perform an original soundtrack to René Laloux's animated masterpiece "the Fantastic Planet" (1973). Film starts promptly at dusk. Family friendly!
The EASTERN SEABOARD -- (Brooklyn, NYC) This experimental jazz trio creates a blend of the thoughtful and instinctual, raw and refined with reeds, upright bass, and traps. The Eastern Seaboard has recordings on both the Black Saint and Tigerasylum labels. "Late '60s free jazz via mid-'80s post-punk" - Creative Loafing Atlanta
The HERMIT THRUSHES -- (Philadelphia) Spare angular pop, catchy, smart, sunny and good.
GREG MARTIN -- (South Bend) Our hometown acoustic wizard weaves his tales in the desert dome and makes the agave grow.
Film projected amongst the eaves of an antique botanical conservatory, jazz beside an indoor waterfall, opti-pop played under a date palm, folk in a desert dome-- what more could you want?
MONDAY NOVEMBER 12th. 7pm sharp. (Show starts early!!)
Potawatomi Greenhouse, 2105 Mishawaka Avenue, (574)-235-9442
All Ages Welcome
The Lineup:
ENUMA ELISH -- (Boston) Electro acoustic jazz rock experimentalists perform an original soundtrack to René Laloux's animated masterpiece "the Fantastic Planet" (1973). Film starts promptly at dusk. Family friendly!
The EASTERN SEABOARD -- (Brooklyn, NYC) This experimental jazz trio creates a blend of the thoughtful and instinctual, raw and refined with reeds, upright bass, and traps. The Eastern Seaboard has recordings on both the Black Saint and Tigerasylum labels. "Late '60s free jazz via mid-'80s post-punk" - Creative Loafing Atlanta
The HERMIT THRUSHES -- (Philadelphia) Spare angular pop, catchy, smart, sunny and good.
GREG MARTIN -- (South Bend) Our hometown acoustic wizard weaves his tales in the desert dome and makes the agave grow.
Film projected amongst the eaves of an antique botanical conservatory, jazz beside an indoor waterfall, opti-pop played under a date palm, folk in a desert dome-- what more could you want?
Community garden planned
Community garden planned in S.B.
Project will replace the old city florist's garden.
SUE LOWE, Tribune Staff Writer
It was about Earth Day in April when Krista Bailey started finding people interested in a community garden -- a place where people could go to grow vegetables and flowers.
She went to Bertrand Farm out on Bertrand Road just north of the state line in Niles and bought a share of the community supported agriculture operation there. But she and others dreamed of having a place in town so they didn't have to drive so far.
Somewhere in all the conversations, Gail Spitzer mentioned the area behind the Ella Morris and Muessel-Ellison Conservatories and Potawatomi Greenhouse.
The city florist used to live there and he once had a fairly large garden. But after Joe Gondocs, the last city florist, retired in 2005, the city tore down the house. And they didn't hire another city florist.
So Bailey and Spitzer went to the South Bend Parks and Recreation Board and South Bend Community Gardens was born with support from the Botanical Society of South Bend.
Bailey said the group will be able to use the garden and a greenhouse beside it.
"The greenhouse is not heated, but by February or March it will be warm enough to start seeds," she said.
Most of the old garden is now grass, but Bailey said a grape arbor and some red raspberries, a strawberry bed and a herb bed remain.
She would like to find somebody with some knowledge of grapes and how they're grown.
Volunteers have dug up an area for a children's garden where parents can turn their children loose.
Members of the group also hope to put in some raised beds they can use as an education area.
They haven't decided yet if participating families will have their own garden plots or will all just use one big garden.
They do know they'll be charging $25 for a family to participate. That's to cover the cost of water and other supplies.
A tasting area is planned so somebody passing through who wants to taste doesn't take something from a member's space.
Bailey said somebody from the chemistry department at Indiana University South Bend has taken soil samples to see if the soil needs anything added to make it a good place to grow things.
They're looking for somebody who can till the grass for them yet this fall so they can put in some compost.
After that garden is started Bailey would like to start another garden on the west side.
Project will replace the old city florist's garden.
SUE LOWE, Tribune Staff Writer
It was about Earth Day in April when Krista Bailey started finding people interested in a community garden -- a place where people could go to grow vegetables and flowers.
She went to Bertrand Farm out on Bertrand Road just north of the state line in Niles and bought a share of the community supported agriculture operation there. But she and others dreamed of having a place in town so they didn't have to drive so far.
Somewhere in all the conversations, Gail Spitzer mentioned the area behind the Ella Morris and Muessel-Ellison Conservatories and Potawatomi Greenhouse.
The city florist used to live there and he once had a fairly large garden. But after Joe Gondocs, the last city florist, retired in 2005, the city tore down the house. And they didn't hire another city florist.
So Bailey and Spitzer went to the South Bend Parks and Recreation Board and South Bend Community Gardens was born with support from the Botanical Society of South Bend.
Bailey said the group will be able to use the garden and a greenhouse beside it.
"The greenhouse is not heated, but by February or March it will be warm enough to start seeds," she said.
Most of the old garden is now grass, but Bailey said a grape arbor and some red raspberries, a strawberry bed and a herb bed remain.
She would like to find somebody with some knowledge of grapes and how they're grown.
Volunteers have dug up an area for a children's garden where parents can turn their children loose.
Members of the group also hope to put in some raised beds they can use as an education area.
They haven't decided yet if participating families will have their own garden plots or will all just use one big garden.
They do know they'll be charging $25 for a family to participate. That's to cover the cost of water and other supplies.
A tasting area is planned so somebody passing through who wants to taste doesn't take something from a member's space.
Bailey said somebody from the chemistry department at Indiana University South Bend has taken soil samples to see if the soil needs anything added to make it a good place to grow things.
They're looking for somebody who can till the grass for them yet this fall so they can put in some compost.
After that garden is started Bailey would like to start another garden on the west side.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Annual Arts Cafe comes to South Bend
I've lived in the Near Northwest Neighborhood for many years and I have seen the progress that groups like the NNN, Inc have made in helping to restore our neighborhood and our homes.
It was wonderful to be able to tour some of their recent projects, along with the many artists that had an opportunity to show off their works of art.
For those not familiar with the NNN, Inc., their rehab projects are some of the best around. The quality of the homes they do is amazing.
Anyone interested in purchasing a home through the NNN, Inc can find information here.
From WNDU
One organization is showing how old can be new again in South Bend.
Near Northwest Neighborhood Incorporated showed off six homes during its 5th annual Arts Cafe today.
The walking tour showed the homes in different stages of the restoration process.
Also featured were the wares of neighborhood artists, the sounds of area musicians, and the tastes of local restaurants.
Karen Ainsely is with the Near Northwest Neighborhood Incorporated says, “its so so important for us to get people out to walk the streets and see the quality of housing that’s here, because once they see the quality of the architecture that’s here they understand why all of us are drawn to live here.”
The work of nearly 60 artists was showcased and last year the event attracted nearly 700 people.
It was wonderful to be able to tour some of their recent projects, along with the many artists that had an opportunity to show off their works of art.
For those not familiar with the NNN, Inc., their rehab projects are some of the best around. The quality of the homes they do is amazing.
Anyone interested in purchasing a home through the NNN, Inc can find information here.
From WNDU
One organization is showing how old can be new again in South Bend.
Near Northwest Neighborhood Incorporated showed off six homes during its 5th annual Arts Cafe today.
The walking tour showed the homes in different stages of the restoration process.
Also featured were the wares of neighborhood artists, the sounds of area musicians, and the tastes of local restaurants.
Karen Ainsely is with the Near Northwest Neighborhood Incorporated says, “its so so important for us to get people out to walk the streets and see the quality of housing that’s here, because once they see the quality of the architecture that’s here they understand why all of us are drawn to live here.”
The work of nearly 60 artists was showcased and last year the event attracted nearly 700 people.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
South Bend is an amazing community
South Bend is an amazing community.
Ever since I moved here to go to Saint Mary's College three years ago, I have been impressed by its focus on social justice.
This semester I am volunteering at the Center for the Homeless which is a model for other homeless shelters all across the country- it's incredible. The staff and guests are wonderful people that have been an inspiration to me.
Last semester, I worked at the School-aged Mothers Program of the South Bend school district. Not many cities can boast of having such a unique and needed program.
I met beautiful young women who made the decision to stay in school even though they had a child at such a young age. It would be nearly impossible for these young women to remain in the public school system without the assistance of the School-aged Mothers Program.
Also last semester, I did an internship at Memorial Leighton Center for older adults. It was a fascinating experience because the center was researching to see if a program they created would improve memory. I was only working there for a semester, but in that time I got to see some of the incredible work that is done in this community center.
I am so thankful that I have had the privilege of living in South Bend the past three years.
I have been exposed to a few of the community programs that make our city a great one. I can only imagine the impact these services have both on individuals and on our community as a whole.
submitted by:
Justine Ray
Saint Mary's College
'08
Ever since I moved here to go to Saint Mary's College three years ago, I have been impressed by its focus on social justice.
This semester I am volunteering at the Center for the Homeless which is a model for other homeless shelters all across the country- it's incredible. The staff and guests are wonderful people that have been an inspiration to me.
Last semester, I worked at the School-aged Mothers Program of the South Bend school district. Not many cities can boast of having such a unique and needed program.
I met beautiful young women who made the decision to stay in school even though they had a child at such a young age. It would be nearly impossible for these young women to remain in the public school system without the assistance of the School-aged Mothers Program.
Also last semester, I did an internship at Memorial Leighton Center for older adults. It was a fascinating experience because the center was researching to see if a program they created would improve memory. I was only working there for a semester, but in that time I got to see some of the incredible work that is done in this community center.
I am so thankful that I have had the privilege of living in South Bend the past three years.
I have been exposed to a few of the community programs that make our city a great one. I can only imagine the impact these services have both on individuals and on our community as a whole.
submitted by:
Justine Ray
Saint Mary's College
'08
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