Discover the History of Your Home
Free Workshop on Researching Your Property Feb 13 Kicks Off New Drake Neighborhood Historical Resources Survey
The Drake Neighborhood Association will present a free workshop on how to research your home’s history. The public workshop will run from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, February 13, at the historic First Christian Church, 2500 University Avenue.
Local historian Jennifer Irsfeld James and Des Moines Rehabbers Club founder Steve Wilke-Shapiro will cover how to search public records, locate unconventional sources, and document your research. Every house harbors secrets -- we'll share how to uncover them.
The workshop kicks off the Drake Neighborhood Association’s (DNA) new Historical and Architectural Resources Survey. The Drake Neighborhood Association (DNA) has won two grants that will underwrite a historical and architectural resources survey, a powerful economic development tool. City and state are signing the contracts right now.
Together with the State Historic Preservation Office and City of Des Moines Community Development staff, DNA members have charted the $41,000 historical and architectural survey of the entire Drake Neighborhood funded through grants and volunteer labor.
The project will begin in March, allowing the City and Drake Neighborhood to hire a certified consultant to survey and document the history and architecture of the neighborhood using information culled by volunteers. The survey will identify potential historic districts and properties, which will give property owners the opportunity to tap into generous state and federal historic tax credits.
“Sleuthing the past is something of a treasure hunt,” says James, who has gleaned tidbits of history from city directories, old maps, yearbooks, and even things found in the walls. Discoveries can include old photographs of house and former owners, clues to architectural changes, and even celebrity connections.”
This event is open to the public and is sponsored by the Drake Neighborhood Association with the Des Moines Rehabbers Club (http://RenovateDSM.com).
GET INVOLVED:
* Advance registration for the workshop is recommended; reserve seats by contacting Steve
Wilke-Shapiro, swilkeshapiro@gmail.com, (515) 710-3484.
* To volunteer for the historical survey, please contact Steve Wilke-Shapiro, swilkeshapiro@gmail.com, (515) 710-3484.
Drake Sustainability Fair
Sunday, February 28 from 1-5 p.m. in the Drake Olmsted Center
If everyone makes a commitment to change, we can all be both environmentally and economically sustainable. Being green though, goes beyond saving the planet – it can save us money, improve our lives, and even help protect our country. To help people in the Des Moines area learn more, Drake University and the City of Des Moines have partnered to create the Drake Sustainability Fair. Environmental non-profits, government agencies, private companies and others will come together in Drake’s Olmsted Center on Sunday, February 28 from 1:00-5:00 to share information, answer questions, and teach our neighbors how to live sustainably. Join us!
Host Families Needed for International Students at Drake University
There are 18 newly arrived international students at Drake University who have requested host families. The students are from Malaysia, Turkey, South Africa, Jamaica and Kenya.
The Host Family Program provides a caring "home away from home" experience for students from other countries who would like to build a friendship with a local family. The host family is not expected to provide the host student with housing (students already have housing). However, some do offer their host student a place to stay during the winter break when Drake dormitories are closed. The host family helps to introduce the student to the community, familiarize them with American social customs and manners, and generally help them become familiar with the “American way of life”. The host family usually stays with the student until they graduate or leave to return to their home country: typically a 2-year commitment.
If you are interested in being a host family to one of these international students, please contact Amy Stout at brightencorner@hotmail.com
2010 United States Census
In March of 2010, census forms will be delivered to every residence in the United States and Puerto Rico. The U.S. Constitution requires that a census take place every 10 years. Census results help determine the distribution of more than $400 billion in federal funds each hear for things such as hospitals, schools, senior centers, bridges and other public works. It also helps determine the number of seats our state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.
When you receive your census form, please answer the 10 short questions and then mail the form back in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you don't mail the form back, you may receive a visit from a census taker, who will ask you the questions from the form.
The Census Bureau is now hiring census takers for the 2010 Census. The positions offered are temporary part-time field positions with a salary range of $11.75 to $15.25 per hour, depending on location. Additional benefits include: flexible hours, weekly paychecks, mileage reimbursement, evening and weekend hours and the opportunity to work near your home. If you are interested in one of these field positions in the Des Moines and surrounding area, please call 1-866-861-2010. To learn more about Census jobs, you can visit the website at www.2010censusjobs.gov or call George Shade III, Recruiting Assistant, at (515) 202-3318. Census Jobs Test Sessions will be held at First Christian Church at 2:00PM every Thursday beginning on January 21st.
Neighborhood Revitalization Planning Subcommittee Updates
The “Parks, Open Spaces & Trails” and “Neighborhood Identity & Partnership with Drake” planning subcommittees have finished meeting and submitted draft goals and recommendations to the DNA Board. The “Housing” and “Infrastructure/Streetscape” subcommittees continue to meet monthly. And, the “Crime & Safety” and “Commercial Areas” subcommittees with start to meet in January 2010. If you are interested in participating in any of the active planning subcommittees, please contact us at info@drakeneighborhood.org
Exit Saigon, Enter Little Saigon
Neighbor (and newly elected Board Member) Cyndi Chen is the Administrator of the Iowa Commission on the Status of Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage (CAPI) at Iowa Department of Human Rights. Her office, in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, will be hosting the Opening Event for the Smithsonian “Exit Saigon, Enter Little Saigon” Exhibit on Saturday, December 19, 2009 from 1:00PM to 4:00PM at the Iowa State Historical Building on 600 East Locust, Des Moines. Marking next year’s 35th anniversary of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement in Iowa, the Opening Event will raise awareness about the State’s pivotal role in welcoming Asian refugees and the gifts that those communities have brought and continue to bring to Iowa. Featuring distinguished speakers, performances and storytelling by the Asian community, the event is open to the public and admission is free.
The exhibit will be on display at the State Historical Building from December 19, 2009 through February 28, 2010. For more information on this event, visit http://www.iowacapi.org/content.asp?ID=2910&I=8069
Winter Coats Needed
Many young children, elderly and new comers to this country will not have the means to buy a warm coat for the frigid Iowa winter temperatures. Lutheran Services in Iowa, a federally funded agency located in the neighborhood, is asking for donations of new or gently used winter coats that they can pass on to their constituents.
If you have a coat that you would like to donate, you can bring it to Lutheran Services at the following address:
Lutheran Services in Iowa
3116 University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 277-1658
http://www.lsiowa.org/
In the spirit of the holidays, help a neighbor and make the neighborhood a warmer place.
Deadline Extended - Drake Neighborhood Logo Contest
What image comes to mind when you hear “Welcome to the Drake Neighborhood”?
The Drake Neighborhood Association is looking for a graphic element that can be used to promote the neighborhood. If you are a professional designer or someone who has strong graphic design skills and can create a computer generated logo, the Drake Neighborhood Association invites you to enter our contest and have a chance to win $750.
For more information about our contest, download the contest announcement and details. If you have additional questions, please call 515-339-9768. The extended deadline for entries is February 15, 2010.
Two New Ways to Stay In Touch With the DNA
Would you like to have the latest information on things that are happening in the Drake Neighborhood? Then be sure to subscribe to our Facebook page and/or follow us on Twitter!
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Recent Site Updates
| 2/5 | Events: Drake Sustainability Fair |
| 1/23 | Events: Free Workshop |
| 11/22 | Events: Annual Meeting & Potluck |
| 09/20 | Events: Des Moines Marathon |
| 09/19 | Events: Dogtown Fest |
| 09/05 | Events: Drake Neighborhood Concert | 08/01 | Events: National Night Out |
| 07/30 | Newsletter: July / August |
| 07/17 | Events: Quarterly Meeting |
| 07/12 | Events: Jazz in July |
| 06/09 | Newsletter: May / June |
| 05/15 | Home: Home Tour |
| 05/15 | Events: Farmers Market |
| 04/03 | Newsletter: Mar / Apr |
| 04/01 | Home: Flower sale |
| 01/08 | Home: Planning workshop |
| 01/08 | Newsletter: Jan / Feb |