Ah, The Fresh Signs of Spring

The snow has finally melted, though we hesitate to put the shovel away lest we anger Jack Frost. We fear another vengeful punch of chill and white. We sneak gloves and parkas one-by-one into storage for we know a complete clearance of winter clothing will surely result in a blizzard of record proportions. It has been proven, as you may well know, to happen in the versatile climate of South Dakota.



I enjoy walking through the neighborhood and taking in the hints of spring. My grape hyacinth is blooming and the rhododendron, in her garish pink spring attire, solicits invitations to early pollenators. Buds emerge on trees with a mere hint of green as lawns brag their bright prominence amidst the lingering brown of winter.

Unfortunately, the winter has also yielded a fresh crop of litter thrown out windows and blown into yards. Among the shock of green lawns sparkles glass from bottles carelessly shattered by those enjoying a less stable state of mind. Pet waste leaves circles of death outlined with a dark shade of green. Obviously the owners of these pets don't want to clean up waste in their own yards and seek to provide these nice little gifts to their neighbors.

The broken-window theory states that if an area is left in disarray or blight, it draws more blight. If you eliminate the disarray and blight, it likewise results in habits of order and cleanliness. Pettigrew Heights is a neighborhood that needs no more coaxing for blight or disorder. As usual, we find ourselves picking up the garbage strewn in disrespect. Thank you for doing this. If we all keep at it, they will see that this is not the place for their garbage to rest. Sometimes, it is unfortunate, but we find ourselves needing to vocalize to these folks our objection to their view of our yards as their trash can. I usually have a bag conveniently by the door for dog owners that "forgot" theirs. The look on their faces is so priceless, it is worth the jog down the block to catch them.

Happy Spring, Pettigrew Heights!

Art Show

Summit House is hosting a community art show. On display will be photography, acrylic painting, oil painting, poetry and this afternoon music. They served breakfast this morning from 9:00 am to 10:30 am.

Urban Agriculture

Lowell Elementary celebrated the kick-off of the neighborhood Urban Ag Project, Wednesday April 15, 2009.

Winter Sioux Falls

Yes, it was I encouraging the blizzard to come our way!  ...my cheers as the large, sticky snowflakes descended on the city.  I have waited all winter for this!  Finally, my work is complete.  Stay tuned for photos of The Falls!

Stay Tuned

The winter has finally produced the sticky kind of snow that I needed to get some photos taken. Perfect timing, too-on a weekend where I can easily go places that are not overpopulated.

Neighborhood Watch Notes

Last evening was the yearly meeting of the Neighborhood Watch Block Captains. Subjects included grass length (8 inches), Neighborhood Night Out (NNO), local crime trends, Pettigrew Heights, and home foreclosures.

Apparently, there was some question regarding the proper length of grass and the city ordinances weren't in sync with their answers to this. Proper length is now 8 inches and it no longer depends where you live. I didn't realize that it did before, but good to know!

Neighborhood Night Out is the yearly event that occurs on the first Tuesday in August. This year, a different approach was suggested. Rather than have the individual meetings with city officials, fire trucks and ambulances (ambuli?) spread all over the city, this would concentrate the resources to one location. The suggested location is Sertoma Park. A decision was not made last night, but a committee was formed to discuss the feasibility of this alternative.

Lock your doors - home or not! Home invasions have been happening all over the city. Scary? Heck, ya! What the invaders tend to do is walk the neighborhood and check each home for unlocked doors. Upon finding one, they enter. It doesn't matter if you are home or not. They may not rush for the televisions, either. (I really can't blame them - have you tried picking one of them up lately?) What they do go for are portable technologies - laptops, iPods, Blackberries (not the fruit), cell phones, purses, and the contents of your medicine cabinet. One of these invaders had the audacity to pull their car up in the victim's driveway, load up and take off. The victim was just getting home as he was leaving. Nice. Lock it up, folks! - no matter how briefly you will be gone! Don't even think about the time it would take them to leave, but the time it would take them to enter - for they may still be there when you get home.

Another culprit at your medicine cabinet may be teenage relatives. Apparently teens have taken to parties where pills are brought as an entrance fee to be placed in a bowl where they each pick 4 (or whatever the number). They then enjoy (or not) their evening accordingly. We never think of our teens as the ones that could possibly do that, but they also have friends over and its "better safe than sorry".

There were a significant number of foreclosures in Pettigrew Heights and Whittier neighborhoods in 2008. When these properties are relinquished to the banks there is often confusion as to the responsibility of the upkeep. You may notice one of these homes in your neighborhood. It was suggested that rather than see the property go down hill, it may be wise for the neighborhood to adopt the property upkeep. If you think about it, one such property can really bring the appearance of the neighborhood down. Not only that, but potential buyers may be dissuaded by an overgrown mess. Food for thought.

Meeting Notes for Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood Conservation Area Committee. March 25, 2009

City Council member Kermit Staggers was a fresh face in our group today. It was good to see him there. He liked it so much, he plans on attending the next meeting!

Announcements:
The Urban Agriculture Garden and Market Kick Off Event is scheduled for April 15th, 2009 at Lowell Elementary. Mayor Dave Munson is planning on attending.

The Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood Art Show is April 18th from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. This will be held at the Summit House on the corner of 12th and Summit. This is free and open to the public. All are welcomed to contribute their art and/or music. If you have any questions, contact Hannah at 271-0721 or info@sfseminary.edu.

Shireen Ranshau announced that 731 S. Summit is a foreclosed house that they will be auctioning off for rehab. Bid packets are available at Sioux Falls Housing.

John Hart announced that they are (not so patiently) waiting for work to begin on the 37 unit, 4-story housing development VOA has in the works. April 28th is the date for (ground-breaking?) This apartment complex will consist of one and two bedroom apartments for women completing rehab so they may be with their children. This provides safe affordable housing. Since they doubt all the units will be filled, they expect it will also provide safe affordable housing for other Sioux Falls residents. John has promised a picture of the future building that I will post as soon as it becomes available.

The Sioux Falls Homeless Coalition is awaiting numbers for the total of homeless in Sioux Falls. This homeless count, Stacey Tieszen stated would most likely be much higher than previous counts. The reason for the increase in this year's count is they are now counting "doubled up" people as well. These are people that don't have their own home, and are living with others.

Victor, a new member of the Committee, brought up the difficulty felons are having finding housing. Since most applications for housing include the question about felony convictions, these people are either denied housing or forced to lie. Lying places them back in the mindset they are trying to avoid.

House of Cards

I spoke with the city this morning and this is the information that I got:

Basically with the Schwartz property, like other properties, there was a maze of ownership channels.

Joe buys property. Property is financed by Bank A, a small local financier. Bank A sells the loan to Bank B, a larger finance company. Bank B sells to Bank C, larger yet, in a "package" with a group of other properties. Bank C sells to Bank D an international financier in a larger package yet.

Joe ditches property. The property may or may not be foreclosed on. Foreclosure costs banks money. Banks don't like to spend money. Complaints pile up as the property becomes dilapidated. Joe has defaulted and the house is no longer his. The city forwards the complaint to Bank A. Bank A is no longer the owner of the property and forwards city to Bank B and so on... By the time the city contacts bank D, if that bank is even solvent anymore, they have no idea and no interest to pursue this small portion of the total package. The city contacts the bank, the attorney's and anyone they can to inform them of the complaint. (Bank D feels a tiny mosquito buzzing around it and swats it away.) The city proceeds through the legal processes the last of which is demolition and charges the demolition to the bank that owns the property. The land is still there, but ownership and care for the property is difficult to assign.

This is what happened to the Schwartz home. It was not on the historic registry. Not that the historic registry can save a home from demo... I have a feeling this will not be the last we hear of this happening.

Difficulty With Objectivity

When I began this blog, I wanted it to be - for the most part - objective.  I wanted to use this as a method of updating those interested in the Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood and the improvements that would be unfolding.

Today, my grief is suspended in a lump in my throat.  I am trying hard to keep swallowing it away and not allow its emergence.  My eyes sting with the frustration and anger of a helpless party witnessing a horrific destruction of the history of the city.  

If you recall, I had a nice little historic article on the C.C. Carpenter home.  Mentioned in that article was Joseph Schwartz.  Schwartz built the Carpenter Hotel.  This building is still downtown today.  He also built Washington High School - the North addition - before it was Washington High School.  He built the Minnehaha city jail, the Central Fire Station, Augustana's Old Main, The First Congregational Church, The Manchester Biscuit Company, the Coliseum, Lowell Elementary, one of the Cataract Hotels, First Baptist Church, the Carnegie Library and Cathedral School.  As he did a large number of civic buildings, he really never became terribly wealthy.  As an architect at the turn of the century, he was considered second only to Wallace Dow in the architectural business.  He lived in a modest unassuming home (Pictured below).

I am certainly glad that I took this photo when I did because here is the Joseph Schwartz home today:

Is this the honor we bestow upon the creators of our city? This was not the owner that tore down the house. The permit to raze was initiated by the City of Sioux Falls. I will leave you with that as I find that I am not in a state to elaborate further.

The Historic Rubble

Here lie the remains of the Dr. Germain home.  Dr. Germain was the County Superintendent of Health in 1889.  Dr. William A. Germain was born in Wisconsin in 1855.  He graduated from the Butler Medical College at Butler, IN in March 1882.  Upon graduating he left for Sioux Falls where he began his practice within the month.  He was affiliated with all the Masonic groups located in Sioux Falls and held numerous board positions.  He was a prominent member of early Sioux Falls Society.  

Looking at the dates of his practice in Sioux Falls, it is apparent that he was one of the physicians that helped with the Typhoid Fever epidemic that struck 10% of the Sioux Falls population.  (In my notes, I see that one account said it affected 50% of the citizens of Sioux Falls.)  The physicians were so busy, they couldn't make housecalls outside the city and often just sent medicine.  In 1889, the Scarlet Fever epidemic landed in Sioux Falls.  Dr. Germain was present for that as well.  He was highly regarded as a physician, surgeon and citizen.  Sorry, Dr. Germain about the house.

As a side note, the stain glass window that I mentioned in the Argus article was no longer in the window of the Germain house. Someone has taken it and nobody is aware of who...

Update to the Razing

If you read the article from the Argus Leader, you will see that I was heartbroken about the Germain property being destroyed.  Apparently, however, it was beyond repair.  The city would not allow anyone to go in and salvage any part of the building.  Walking by on the day razing began, I noticed a beautiful stained glass window on the north side of the Germain house.  I mentioned that to the reporter who called and it was printed in the article.  

The stained glass window has been removed from the inside of the house. Hmmm...Anyone know where it went?

In my estimation, the Germain house will be subjected to the back hoe Monday morning. RIP.

The List - - Dreams Of Neighbors and Community

THE BIG FIRST STEP – Someone has to make a move that is so positive, so big and so inclusive that the people of the area take notice. This can be a collaborative group project or a lighthearted competition fundraiser between groups. The effects will be contagious.

1. Classes
     a. Home Maintenance
     b. Gardening
     c. Babysitting
     d. Community Leadership
     e. Finances
     f. Parenting
     g. Childcare
     h. Cooking
     i. Cleaning
     j. Nutrition
     k. Budget shopping
          i. Groceries
          ii. Home Improvement Items

          iii. Decorative Solutions
          iv. Clothing
          v. Low budget solutions to household problems
     l. Music
     m. Self-Defense

     n. Art – Art shows as well

     o. Dog Obedience
     p. Computer skills

2. Volunteer Activities
      a. Landscaping
     b. Neighborhood Garbage Pick Up 
          i. Lawn litter
          ii. Large Items
          iii. Chemical and Electronic
     c. Home Maintenance
     d. Graffiti Removal
     e. Children’s Activities
     f. Tutoring

      g. PB&J summer lunch program
     h. Web Page Maintenance
     i. Troubleshooting 

         i. Lighting
         ii. Crime Areas
         iii. Blight
      j. Welcoming Committee

     k. Neighborly Committee – coordinate recognition
         i. “I like what you have done to your yard”
         ii. “Your garden looks great!” 
         iii. “You are soooo friendly!”
         iv. “Glad to have you as a neighbor!”
         v. “Congratulations on the birth…”
         vi. Check in on shut-ins, elderly, 

              1. inform of tornado sirens and assist to seek shelter
              2. after storms make sure they are okay
              3. Have contact information for family 

3. Community Activities
     a. Book clubs

     b. Garden clubs
     c. Theater
      d. Photography
     e. History
     f. Teas
     g. Knitting Clubs
     h. Architectural Walks

     i. Health Fair
     j. Cultural Celebrations
         i. Provide knowledge of cultures in the neighborhood
         ii. Why they moved here?
         iii. What do they miss?
         iv. What do they enjoy?
         v. Can be done with a get-together
        vi. Fosters Understanding and Acceptance

     k. Block Party

4. Miscellaneous

     a. Lowell MST Identifying Artwork 
         i. Contest
         ii. Arts Council
         iii. GFP(?)
     b. Bowden Youth Center

         i. Needs Updating
         ii. Address activities
         iii. Promote Positive Relationships
         iv. Staff Police Officer?

     c. Service Pool
         i. “deposit” talents into pool

         ii. People can “withdraw” others’ talents as needed.
     d. Neighborhood News
         i. Special Recognition
         ii. Success Stories
         iii. Volunteer of the Month
         iv. Home of the Month
     e. Apprentice-type programs
         i. Carpentry
         ii. Basic Plumbing
         iii. Remodeling and Restoration
         iv. Use for Neighborhood Projects
         v. Recruit Teachers as Volunteers 
         vi. Request Project Work From Local Schools
         vii. Provide Job Skills and positive reinforcement for teens
     f. Enlist Area Churches
          i. Provide Services to “fill the gaps” between Social Programs
          ii. Many hands make light work…
          iii. Adopt a property
              1. new homeowners needing guidance
              2. resource for homeowner/renter
              3. painting and fix-up

     g. Book Sanctuary
         i. Free books

         ii. Quiet reading spot
         iii. Host Book Club

         iv. Literacy Assistance

     h. Contractor Challenge

         i. Purchase older neighborhood home
         ii. Enlist Carpenters, painters, cabinet-makers, restoration experts, etc.
         iii. “Parade of Restored Homes”?
         iv. Benefits
              1. Provide revamped properties to the neighborhood
              2. Provide examples or solutions to other older home-owners 
              3. Healthy competition that would be advertising for contractors.
              4. Poor economy limits new home purchases – remodeling coming back “in”
              5. Advertise and Promote Pettigrew Heights
                     i. Teach responsible renting
                         i. After course completion, will have better “clout” as a renter
                         ii. Give certificate for $N off deposit
                         iii. Renters retain certification as long as they continue to meet objectives
                             1. cleanliness
                             2. responsibility – water plants, vacuum halls?
                             3. Keep landlord up to date on status of property
                       iv. May reduce “musical chairs” rental issues
     j. Computer Bank
         i. Look into a community website – people can request needs assistance. (Need a winter                 coat) 
         ii. Assistance with job hunting
         iii. Be able to network with others (increase support systems)
     k. Transportation
         i. Ride Share
         ii. Bicycle Borrow Program
         iii. Adopt-a-passenger
     l. Community Service
         i. Adopt-a-grand-relationship
             1. “grandparents” can walk children to school.- increase attendance foster                  intergenerational relationships 
             2. Reading, tutoring, supervision
             3. Put benches up by Lowell playground
         ii. Singing/Activities for retirement homes
         iii. Mentors for all age groups
         iv. Contact schools to provide a needy family with anonymous gifts.
         v. Help with attendance problems
             1. Walking group for school aged kids – stop and pick up as they go.
     m. Create an atmosphere that parents, children and teachers feel comfortable in. – Lowell:      embrace cultural differences, celebrate culture regularly, provide guest speakers that are      leaders in each cultural community

5. VOLUNTEERS – our most precious commodity
     a. Recognize efforts
     b. Keep a journal (before/during/after)
     c. Recharge
     d. Reward
     e. Inspire
     f. Maintain a list
         i. Send birthday cards
         ii. Send Holiday cards
         iii. Let them know how much we think of them!!
         iv. Let others (their church, family or neighbors) know they have done something good!

6. Teach people to trade in their “I can’t” for “How Can I?”

The Demo Begins

My attention was diverted from my internet research to the sound of one large vehicle motor after another.  Lined up from the 900 block of South Duluth all the way to 11th street were the demolition dump trucks.  Today is the day they have begun demolition of some of the oldest homes in Pettigrew Heights.  These old houses, some of the beauts with historical significance are leaving this world for their future at the land fill.  In their place will be low-income senior housing.  


This house had its hazardous siding removed.  Almost looks better now.

This house on the left and the rubble to the right were so dilapidated, abused and hideous, that regardless their historical value, we are not too sorry to see them go.

C.C. Carpenter house

In it's original glory

Charles "C.C." Carpenter's old digs. This home was originally on 13th and Phillips. The city directory states that C.C. and his family were in residence there in 1887. Occupants have included Charles W. Hubbard, A.E. Diver, W.H. Keon, and Kate McDonald who used it as a boarding house. It was later sold to Dr. W. A. Germain as a family home and moved to the lot on at the SE corner of 9th and Duluth for J.R. Devers and family. Oddly enough, C.C. Carpenter's family at that time lived on the SW corner of 9th and Duluth and got a nice view of their old homestead. This home was built in Queen Anne style to be elegant yet comfortable. It was built at an unheard of cost of $10,000.00.

C.C. Carpenter was an eastern banker with money to invest. He came to Dakota Territory to invest in what he believed would be a profitable venture. He invested in the Sioux Falls Stockyards, was a land developer and the Director of Sioux Falls Granite Quarries Co.

His wife, Frances Carpenter was the sister of Artemus Gale and Helen McKennan. After C.C.'s death, she built the "fireproof" Carpenter Hotel for $250,000.00. This was the first masonry hotel in the city built to rival the Cataract Hotel that had a history of fire.

Charles W. Hubbard, one of the previous owners, was the entrepreneur largely responsible for the quarry town that later became what we now know as the east side of Sioux Falls.  It was 6 miles due east of what was downtown Sioux Falls.  He built a company town for the quarriers that came mainly from Europe (English, Scotch and Welch.) bringing with them their craft and strong backs.  This company town tried to establish itself as the new town of "Ives" and later with its 600 residents became incorporated into Sioux Falls.

The house in it's current state.

Joseph Schwartz, the architect, also built the Carpenter hotel, the original Washington High School, the County Jail, Central Fire Station, Augustana's Old Main, The First Congregational Church, Manchester Biscuit company, The Coliseum, Lowell, the Cataract, Masonic Temple, Carnegie Library and Cathedral School. Oddly enough, Schwartz himself lived in a very modest home in the same neighborhood.

Joseph Schwartz's house

P.S. Cudos to The Old Courthouse Museum for the old photo of the C.C. Carpenter home. Special thanks to Adam for his continued interest and assistance with this project.

The Week in Review

What a busy week!

Monday: Root canal

Tuesday: I met with Dan Prendable with VOA/VISTA. We discussed my volunteering at the Bowden Youth Center. I have agreed and need to return to get with Ashley and work out a schedule for volunteering.

Wednesday: I had my interview with CASA and look forward to training. CASA is a nonprofit agency that looks after the welfare of abused and/or neglected children. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate.

Wednesday evening I spent some time at Summit House with Social Work students from Northwestern College in Ia. Daniel Lee spoke of his time in the neighborhood. He purchased a home in Pettigrew Heights in 2006 and serves breakfast every Saturday morning. He works 3 jobs to support his family and this is besides the time he spends with the people in the neighborhood. He hosts birthday parties for children that wouldn't have them otherwise, and movie nights as well. He takes trips with children to places that they wouldn't have been otherwise. He sees firsthand the troubles that people in the neighborhood experience. He is far braver than I. Good work, Dan and wife Minnie!

Thursday: I met with April from the Whittier Neighborhood to discuss their events, our coalition and things that we can do to promote our neighborhoods. We also looked over the pictures from books that I brought on historical Sioux Falls. That was fun! I think that we could talk forever!
In the afternoon, I met with Margaret. Margaret is a white woman whose significant other is Native American. We discussed ideas that I had about making Native American families feel more comfortable in the schools - Lowell in particular. She is excited. So much seems to be coming together in this area. Some topics included the education of South Dakota teachers in methods of educating N.A. youth. There are very important cultural differences that need to be addressed. One example is making children look in your eyes. Teachers often do this to make sure the child is paying attention. Truth is, this is considered disrespectful for Native Americans. Teaching in families is done side by side, not face to face. Respect is also a big issue. If the teacher won't respect the child, they cannot expect it back. She also mentioned educating Native American families in things they need to do to help schools teach their children.
Other differences include the fact that when they have money enough to put gas in the car, they take long weekends to the reservation. Grandmas on the reservation get lonely and want to be visited. But, when they get to the reservation, there is often nothing to do. This is when some turn to drinking with old friends and family. But, the grandmas don't want them to do that, either. Sometimes the car breaks down. When this happens, they may not be able to get back to work on time and end up losing their job. They, like many of us, spend the money when they have it and return to living on a shoestring afterwards.
Alcoholism is a large problem, as is diabetes and fetal alcohol syndrome. I believe by embracing the culture, teaching the teachers, and welcoming the Native American culture into our schools, we will be able to provide hope to a group that has had the hope squeezed out of them. Perhaps we will be able to foster an understanding of their culture and build relationships and trust. Call me a dreamer, but I would like to believe it is possible.

Friday: I met with Margaret again to discuss more specifics. She knows some people that she believes would be willing to help teach cultural crafts and dance at the schools. She invited me to join her in meeting with Urban Indian Health Services on Monday!
I also met with Dan Prendable again at the Bowden Youth Center. Since Sioux Falls had school, Ashley wasn't available but Peter was. I was introduced to 3 of the students that were there.

More on the Shooting

An important point to remember is that there have been shootings in the city before. This is the first that I am aware of in the Pettigrew Heights neighborhood. They caught the perpetrator and hopefully this will remain an isolated incident.

Lowell Elementary

Lowell Elementary although not within the Pettigrew Heights boundaries is where a good number of elementary students in the neighborhood attend.  Lowell recently became a Sioux Falls school of distinction.  This is exciting.  They now specialize in Math, Science and Technology.  

Unfortunately, since the implementation of this new curriculum, Lowell has stumbled through a few obstacles.  The principal hired to implement the program became ill midway through the year and had to leave.  Another principal was pulled from retirement to take care of the day-to-day responsibilities of the school.  Now Lowell has a new Principal and is in the process of "rebirthing" itself.  Approximately half of the teachers are new to the school.  Looking at the dynamics of this situation is daunting in itself.  Teachers are not only establishing relationships with students, but with each other as well.  With a new principal comes a new vision and more adjustment.  Patty seems to be doing a good job and is on top of the game.  Of course, it will take time to choreograph the Math, Science and Technology program and reap its fruits.

Statistics present their own obstacles.  Lowell has a 30% mobility rate, thus a 70% stability rate.  Only 70% of the students are there for the year.  30% move away or go back and forth.  Compare this to the average district mobility rate of 13.5%.  Apparently providing these children with their basic human needs of food, clothing and shelter is the primary to the luxury of an education.  Parental involvement and parenting skills are scarce and sorely needed.  Ask any teacher how much parental involvement affects the success of the students.   The next statement needs its own paragraph:

The Lowell Elementary PTA has 4 members.

Lowell needs help to say the least.  Adult supervision is needed before school, after school, during lunch and at recess.  People are needed to assist children to develop their reading skills.  A good idea emerged from our volunteer meeting yesterday.  This was to contact the nursing home/assisted living/senior apartment dwellers down the road a bit and ask them if they would like to help.  I will do this next week.  Kids, Inc. is the structured after school program.  They have a limit of 30 kids and charge on a sliding scale.  Everyone pays.  The Y has a program that is also not free.  Some children go to Church programs or day cares.  Those who cannot afford any of the options are left unsupervised.  These unsupervised children are out of school with the unsupervised Jr. high and high school students that they are influenced by.  You may come to your own conclusions.

School activities that typically occur in the evenings - concerts, open house, fairs of sorts, etc. are not well attended unless they provide free food.  This tells us a lot.  My take on it is that parents DON'T feel comfortable at the school.  So, what can we do to change this?  Solutions that I think of are to begin holding neighborhood/city/cultural events in the school.  We are a very diverse neighborhood.  Why not embrace the cultures of the various groups in the neighborhood?  Why not ask leaders of these groups their opinion on how we could respectfully draw the families into the school and create a community via the school?  Ideas abound... Additional ideas are always welcome.  What do you think would work?  How can we build trust and help decrease the mobility, increase the stability and furnish the PTA with more members? 

This Week's Ponderings

What a week!  

I have been doing research on history but more important issues have emerged.  Yesterday I was at the Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood Volunteer Subcommittee when not half a block away, there was a shooting at Munchies.  This is, of course, a bit too close to comfort and perhaps a sign that the Pettigrew Heights crime groundhog did NOT see its shadow. 

We certainly hope this is not a sign of things to come.  

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

This week's news includes that of the death of Millard Fuller, cofounder of Habitat for Humanity.  This is disheartening - especially since he was supposed to speak in Brookings the 23rd of this month.  I understand he was an inspirational speaker.  This is an unfortunate loss for the community of communities.

Much politics was involved in the running of the Habitat organization and Fuller was inevitably kicked off the board of the very organization he helped create.  Trying to avoid all politics and hurt feelings we will not go into this - I don't think Mr. Fuller would appreciate it having any air time anyway.  

Millard Fuller packed up his philanthropy and began a new organization - which, if you ask me has a better philosophy and dream.   Rather than raze homes and build the typical "here's your habitat" house,

 they RESTORE homes.  To me, living in this neighborhood with history abound, this is ideal.  Throughout my historical research this week, "razed" is the resounding verbage on hundreds of pages adorning beautiful buildings and homes.  This has been very disheartening.  

The Fuller Center, like Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical organization.  I realize that many people have a shut off valve in their ears where religion is concerned, I am guilty to a certain extent - I don't want it shoved down my throat.  To be an inclusive neighborhood we need to recognize and accept the work of others despite their affiliations.  What ecumenical means is unifying the churches and joining - in this case for the betterment of the neighborhood.  I'm in.

Sioux Falls' Homelessness

This week I had three meetings concerning the neighborhood.  At the first meeting, it was apparent that interest has waned because attendance was down.  The Homeless Coalition is asking for help in conducting their surveys.  They understand they haven't realized the full extent of the homeless issue due to the number of alternative "homes" where these people reside.  They may double up with family, or stay in a garage or find a hallway...  It is difficult to find these people because as a rule, they lack trust and are suspicious of those trying to help.  As a side note: Although the mentally ill and those with substance abuse problems are part of the homeless population, they are a lessor percentage of the homeless population than they are of those with homes.  The main reason for homelessness is lack of affordable housing.

Cultural issues also fall into play.  We are so used to our white ways, insulated from other cultures' values that it is difficult to comprehend their way of life.  While we identify our main family as mom, dad and any children, other cultures recognize cousins, second and third cousins once removed, etc. as their main family.  Would you refuse your mom shelter?  Never.  Neither would they deny their family shelter.  It is simply unheard of.  Yet, it is for this reason that our current housing programs evict people from the housing they so desperately need.

Sioux Falls Housing's waiting list is thousands deep and 2 and 1/2 years out.  HUD's waiting list is only 2-6 months out.  However, the HUD person at the meeting said that the reason most people are evicted from HUD housing is due to their allowing other family members to reside there.  So, the homeless stay with those who qualify for housing, who are then evicted and join the homeless ranks for violating their HUD agreement.  

It is issues such as this that concern the revitalization task force.  Years ago - perhaps during the depression to save and/or make money, people turned their large homes into boarding houses.  During the more prosperous years, as families moved to the outer parts of the city, opportunistic landlords continued to benefit from these arrangements that wouldn't meet today's building codes.  Thus all these chopped up single family homes are grandfathered in and don't have to comply with structural codes.  Having, for example, seven apartments hooked up to the plumbing previously meant for one family has been hard on these houses.  Yet, if you don't have references, have a criminal record, bad credit, etc. what quality housing can you afford?  Some landlords take advantage of these people who are at risk of losing their shelter if they report the conditions of the rental property.  Hey, it's somewhere warm...maybe.    

Downtown Winter

Winter at the Falls

Update on Sunday Morning Stroll

Shortly after posting the blog on the homes with drunken tenants out front, they were gone! I don't know what happened, but they are no longer there every morning. The rest of the photos are still pretty much the same.

Someone revamping one of the old beauts said that they left the house in the evening, locked up, and came back to find it broken into with beds on the floor. That is quite bold.

When I walk the dogs, I bring a large plastic shopping bag with me for trash in the lawns and it never fails to be full at the end of the walk.


There ARE people converting beautiful old houses from apartments to single family dwellings again! Bless your hearts!!!!

A Sunday Morning Stroll

Okay, fear made this less a stroll and more a drive by photo shooting.

The morning yards are filled with debris:


Those darned kids! ...that are seldom being watched and often found as young as two or three out on 18th street. Someone is going to get hurt...or worse...




Something seems so sad about a stroller, a cinderblock, and two boards...









So, does living here make you drink or does drinking make you live here?




This is either sad or scary. Thrown with such force as to break the fence. What was the emotional or physical effect on the child...





Somehow a flowerpot outside a house gives it promise, even if it has just transferred ownership and still has sores...



A pillow on the roof below a window with the screen torn. Also the blinds are all broken or bent up. This is a major problem in the neighborhood. How can you get your tenants to care? or for that matter the landlord?




Speaking of landlords, this home is the one directly behind my home that has been vacant for 17 years. Before my own son's birthday I "celebrate" the anniversary date of our moving in to our current home. No one was living here when we moved in...











This is one of my favorites that I have faith will someday be restored to its former beauty:






Behind apartments on 19th and Spring:




Caught in architectural confusion...






Sale pending? We hope we get a caring landlord here...




Next door...





So, Big Bird, who are the people in YOUR neighborhood? Do they sit on the front porch and drink at 8:00 am on Sunday morning a mere block from a large church?





The Lucky Lady. We don't feel so lucky to have her in our neighborhood. Who goes to the bar at 8:00 am? I must be missing out.






This is another I feel would be/could be very nice if fixed up:







At the far left of this former beauty are some more neighbors out drinking and whooping it up:







What are you dumping out your window that turns the building black?








This is one of the beauties that can be seen from Minnesota Avenue. I wonder if the neighborhood would be so bad if people would look and see a well taken care of property instead of this?







Queen Anne would turn over in her grave:












I see these poor sagging homes with their drunken tenants every morning on my way to work. I have seldom driven by any day or night where there isn't someone out drinking on the porch of one or both of these. Do they take shifts, or not sleep?










Sioux Falls, you boarded this up a long time ago. What is going to happen - when are you going to do something about it? We are board with looking at it like this!







Nice. Was it a hit and run, or is it okay to leave windshield glass on the ground following an accident?







If the neighbor's house didn't look like this:


And this:
Would this happen?