SLP Neighborhood Leaders Picnic

by Wolt Hood, KPHA President

July 14, 2011 Picnic at Oak Park 

Sponsored by the City of St. Louis Park Police and Fire Department from 6:00-8:00 P.M. last Thursday.  Marney Olson, SLP organized the event and they grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. All neighborhood representatives we asked to bring salads, and deserts to share with the group. 

After the great picnic, Marney spoke and introduced the SLP Police Chief, Ken Sysko. He reiterated the importance of be organized as a neighborhood. He said it was one of the best crime detereants In addition, he stated if your instincts tell you something is wrong, call the SLP Police non emergency and let them come out. He stated he would rather send out a squad and find nothing wrong then us not call and have a serious incident show up in a day or two.

National Crime Night is being held on August 2, 2011 and the block captains are encouraged to organize their area and have a BBQ get together . Do you know who your block captain is????? If not, sign up to cover the approx 15 or 20 homes in your area. It is easy and requires very little from you. Call Wolt Hood Cell ph 612 281-6791 or email kilmerpondnews@gmail.com

Block Captains are responsible for knowing the names and addresses of neighbors, (15-20 homes), greeting new people when moving into your area, and lastly, putting together National Night Out for your area.

KPHA Cycling Club

The first KPHA bike club tour is scheduled for Sunday July 17th!  Sean McArdle, the organizer says “the tour looks like it will go...we will ride to a destination based on the ability of those that show up.  For more details visit the site:  www.kilmerpondcyclists.blogspot.com

Kids Art Club

quality

The Summer Saturday Art Club is well on it’s way to coming up with a substantial showing of their art –   meeting weekly during the summer from noon to 2 PM, in the backyard studio 1631 Melrose Ave.

Basic watercolor techniques - all kids are welcome!

Taught by Suzi McArdle Hood

Spring Meeting and Treasury Update

KPHA Spring Meeting

The KPHA spring meeting took place May 21st, 2011. We had six people attend - including Wolt Hood, Susan McArdle Hood, Jim and Ann Shimota, Jean Giere, and Kris Gabrielson. The meeting lasted about two hours and adjourned. (About 10 labor hours)

The meeting was used to get organized and discuss which activities to continue, and which ones to drop. Everybody wanted to continue the Halloween hayride, and agreed to also continue the Spring Fling. It appears the idea of a KPHA garage sale weekend is history, but some individuals may still have theirs, and it may be good for them to coordinate with each other.

Treasury Report

At the beginning of this year we had a balance of almost $500.00. We applied to the city of St. Louis Park for a neighborhood grant of $1800.00, and were granted $1600.00. We are expected to help match the city's funds with volunteer labor hours. The Spring Fling came in just under our $400.00 budget, and included 23 volunteer labor hours.

Which brings up a good point - we need volunteers! This event was a large amount of work for a small number of people - but if we could get more people help out these events could be just a small amount of work for a large number of people. We're all busy people, but even the busiest person can grill hotdogs or scoop ice cream for just one afternoon once a year!

We have several events budgeted for the remainder of this year:

-Family Bicycle Outings - TBD

-National Night Out - Tuesday 8/2/11

-Back to School Art Sale - TBD

-Halloween Hayride - Monday 10/31/11

-Fall Get Together - TBD

To volunteer - contact Wolt Hood, KPHA President

kilmerpondnews@gmail.com or

612-281-6781

Spring Fling

The KPHA Spring Fling started at noon on Saturday June 11th, at Kilmer Park. Luckily, the weather cooperated and we had a wonderful sunny day for our event. It was a great day for adults to meet other neighbors, and for kids to meet new friends. Hot dogs and ice cream cones were served for both young and old alike.

New to the event this year was KidsDance Entertainment - which is owned by Howard Walstein on Melrose - and who put on a great show for all the kids attending. The kids had a ball dancing, having hula hoop and limbo contests, and getting to see some great juggling. Having a kids DJ at the event was an overwhelming success, and we've decided to reserve them every year.

Suzi McArdle provided face painting for the young kids.

At about 2:30 a fire truck from the city of St. Louis Park arrived, and the kids got the chance to climb in and out of the fire truck and see all the gear and equipment.

Thanks to the city of St. Louis Park for funding these activities, and a special thanks to all the neighborhood volunteers - Wolt Hood, Susan McArdle, Jim and Ann Shimota, Jean Giere, and Kris Gabrielson - who worked hard to put on this event. Without their hard work, it would not have been possible!