Christmas party tomorrow!

Don't miss our Christmas party on Wednesday, December 12 at 6 p.m.  Please call Traci Bittleston at 515-0822 for more information!

We will be having a potluck dinner so let Traci know what your specialty is.

"Meet and Treat" at the Southeast Precinct tonight!

Take your little ghost and ghouls to the Southeast Police Precinct tonight from 4-8 p.m.  Enjoy fun activities while meeting some of Omaha's best police officers!

Foundations Laid for Two New Habitat Homes

Neighbors on South 17th Street will be seeing more activity than usually during the next year.  Two new houses are set to be constructed by Habitat for Humanity of Omaha volunteers and staff at 2425 and 2427 S  17th.  One house was demolished to make room for the homes.  As of now, the foundations and driveways have been laid.  

Two families will be welcomed into the neighborhood after they complete their 350 hours of sweat equity required to purchase a Habitat home.  The loan they receive is at a 0% interest rate and is therefore not a handout, but a hand-up.  Progress of the homes will be posted regularly!

A back view of the lots.

New Mural, New Edge to Louie M's

A new mural project is almost finished on the East wall of Louie M's Burger Lust.  Diego and Jair, two local urban artists are responsible for bringing the wall to life.  Their bold and playful work reflects the efforts to revive the area with color, local history and culture.  Check out their work for yourself sometime!

Although he may be afraid of heights, Jair (right) is willing push the limits for the sake of his art.

Diego and Jair, standing proudly with their mural.

Fall Bulk Trash Day A Huge Success!

Fall Bulk Trash Day was held from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday, October 13 at I-80 and 13th St.  Over 12 tons of debris was collected and compacted into the whopping four trucks needed to carry the trash off site!  Three pick up loads of recyclable material were also carried away.  The volunteers, organizers, and neighbors who came out to support the event deserve a huge thank you.

Mattresses, couches, and TVs were common items dropped off during the day.

At a few points the line of cars stretched far up the street.  Volunteers stepped up and directed traffic to ensure that everything went smoothly.  The event demonstrated that if you build it (or order a couple dump trucks), they will come!

Deer Park Member Dorothy Patach Honored for Nursing Accomplishments

Deer Park Neighborhood Association is proud of Dorothy Patach for her recent recognition for her advancements in nursing.  Thank you Nebraska Medical Center for honoring a terrific neighbor.  Article from the Nebraska Medical Center.

DOROTHY M. PATACH, BSN, MSNED, BSHE

Dorothy Patach is a native of Omaha, Nebraska. She has spent her life and career practicing and teaching nursing, and advancing the nursing profession. Dorothy received her nursing diploma at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in 1944, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and a Master of Science in Nursing Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. During her diverse career, Dorothy worked at Jenny Edmundson Hospital School of Nursing, Clarkson Hospital, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Working in the operating room, Dorothy accumulated many unique experiences.

In the mid-1950s, Dorothy developed surgical drapes for new procedures that were later made into pre-packaged sterile plastic drapes by the Minnesota Mining Company. She assisted with the testing of Formula 99, a liquid soap, which in bar form later became “Dial Soap.” She was part of a team that modernized the old Clarkson Hospital operating room which went on to receive the “Hospital of the Year Award.” When asked what motivates her, Dorothy says, “I was raised to serve mankind and keep my community healthy and safe. In nursing, you work to meet the medical, physical, and emotional needs of your patients, which is truly rewarding.”

Dorothy’s service to the nursing profession is vast and comprehensive. Among the many professional organizations she has been involved with, Dorothy has served in leadership roles in the Nebraska State Nurses’ Association, the District 2 Nurses’ Association, the National League of Nursing, the Nebraska League of Nursing, and in every office on the UNMC College of Nursing Alumni Association Board of Directors. She continues to volunteer at UNMC, including in the Alumni Relations Office.

Dorothy has been involved with community and neighborhood betterment since 1945. She is involved with countless South Omaha community groups, including the South Omaha Neighborhood Alliance, the South Omaha Business Association, and the South Omaha Community Care Council, among many others.

In 2001, the Omaha City Council passed a resolution that designated a parcel of public property to be named the “Dorothy Patach Natural Environmental Area.” This was in honor of her commitment and activism on behalf of neighborhoods, civic organizations, the environment and public health. In her free time, Dorothy enjoys gardening and yard work, sewing and hand crafts, non-fiction reading, home repair, and working to improve her community!

www.unmc.edu/alumni

Dorothy Patach Spirit of Service Award pdf

Bridge to Success Reaches for Volunteers

The Cultivating Community Leaders have sewn their seeds for the summer but CCL is just one seed in the Bridge to Success program.

Deer Park has been blessed with eager high school students who have helped transform Deer Park Neighborhood Association for the past two summers. They completed neighborhood housing scans, planned events, uncovered the beauty of Vinton greenery once again and engaged businesses and neighbors.
Their job is not over yet.

The Cultivating Community Leaders program assisted Bridge to Success students achieve their required hours of community service applied towards their “tuition” for college course classes.
Not only are the Bridge students full time high school students who are active in sports, music and numerous activities, they are also taking college courses at Metropolitan Community College.

The Bridge to Success program financially covers students, thanks to private funding, so everyone has a chance to go to college.  The program covers tuition, books and transportation if needed.

However, it’s no easy road.

Students go through an application and interview process before they are considered admission into the program.

The Bridge to Success program needs volunteers to help judge the application essays.  Monica Beasley of the Bridge to Success program stated volunteers must look for the heart of the essay; grammatical structure will be considered later.  The Bridge to Success program strives to support individuals who are committed to higher education and have the drive to succeed.

Essay reading volunteers will be given a scoring sheet outlining the basic requirements for students.  Each essay will only take a few minutes to read in addition to the short judging sheet.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Monica Beasley at mbeasley@mccneb.edu or (402) 457-2554 (Metro) or (402) 557-4470 (OPS).

For more information on the Bridge to Success program, visit www.mccneb.edu.

Rock the Block Rocked!

The first Rock the Block was a phenomenal success, thanks  to Habitat for Humanity Omaha,Deer Park Neighborhood Association,  Americorps NCCC, VISTAs, State and National and Deer Park residents.  Over 70 volunteers collaborated on Saturday to spruce up neighboring houses to the first South Omaha Habitat for Humanity house.  

Thanks to the volunteers, four houses received improvements to their yard as well as assistance pulling weeds, trimming trees, sweeping sidewalks, planting trees and filling in dirt and mulch.  

Thank you The Donut Stop, Orsi's Pizza and Mulhalls for generously donating goods to the event.

Deer Park Neighborhood Association thanks you for taking pride in the neighborhood!

Rock the Block Comes to 19th Street!

DPNA and Habitat for Humanity of Omaha would like to invite you to take part in our new and exciting collaborative volunteer event, Rock the Block. On Saturday, September 8, 2012, neighbors and volunteers will work together on several exterior home improvement projects in the Deer Park neighborhood. Participating households will swap yards for one full Saturday to beautify one another’s yards with the help of 50 or more volunteers. Together, we will clear unwanted brush, haul dirt, plant flowers, build relationships, and of course have loads of fun!!!

This first Rock the Block will occur on a portion of South 19^th Street next door to our new Habitat for Humanity house. In addition to the added curb appeal, participating households will strengthen communication and the collective efficacy with their surrounding neighbors.  We aspire that Rock the Block will prove itself as a great piece to our Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative. If you are able, we hope you can participate in this great opportunity and witness firsthand Habitat for Humanity’s new way of engaging neighbors and volunteers.

To sign up as a volunteer, please contact Turner Morgan at 712-310-3102.

To learn more, contact Oscar Duran at 402-250-1648.

Sign-in: 8-8:30am (coffee and donuts provided)

Start time: 8:30am

Lunch: 11:30am (provided)                                 

Wrap-up: 4:30pm

If you have conflicting schedules and can only work part of the way, we will still be excited to have you a part of this event.

Good Luck, Grace!

Good luck Grace University soccer and volleyball players in their season openers tonight!  Support the Lady Royals at 4:00 p.m. a they take on Union / Mount Marty and 6 and 8 p.m. at the Jim Classen gym (810 Pine Street).  http://www.graceroyals.com/womensvb.shtml
The soccer stars take on Barclay College at 4 p.m. at Tranquility Park (120th and Maple).  http://www.graceroyals.com/menssoccer.shtml

National Night Out

3 A.M. In a Perfect World

We all scream for ice cream!

July is National Ice Cream month and  I think today is as good as any to grab a nice scoop.  Better yet, hop over to Helados Santa Fe on Vinton Street.  Their paletas are divine!

Deer Park potluck

Thanks to all who made our potluck so much food.  A potluck is always a success when a whole table is dedicated to desserts!

Jay, the master griller!

Everyone did their part to bring delicious food.

Oscar updating some of the members on all the exciting things going on in Deer park!

Potluck = success!

Finishing up supper.

Garry handing out door prizes.

Join us for a good ol' fashion neighborhood potluck on Wednesday, July 11 from 6-8 p.m. at Deer Hollow Park.  We will provide hot dogs and lemonade if everyone else can bring a side or dessert.  Bring your neighbors!

Come to the Hardware Gallery on the 4th of July for a pop up political convo, beverages, hot dogs, hamburgers and apple pie beginning at 5 p.m.  Stick around because they will have an extraordinary fireworks show at 10 p.m.!

Meeting tonight!

Don't forget about our monthly meeting tonight at the Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall (24th and Deer Park Blvd) at 7 p.m.  Lots of exciting things are going on in the neighborhood this summer and we want you to be a part of it!

S.O.B.'s ride again

Being called an S.O.B. isn't usually a term of endearment, but it's a different story in our neighborhood.  The South Omaha Bikers have been raising money for graffiti clean up and prevention for five years through their Parking Lot Party.  Join the S.O.B.'s tomorrow beginning at 2 p.m. for food, drinks and live music at the Welcome Inn Tavern! (24th and Castelar)

SAFE Event Tomorrow!

The Southeast precinct is celebrating its 10th anniversary of SAFE (Safety Awareness Fitness & Education) event on Saturday, June 2nd from 1 – 4pm at the KROC center and will include a free safety check of infant seats.  Bring the whole family!

Universally Human Pics are Up!

Once again, we can't thank everyone enough who made Universally Human possible.  Our neighborhood hosted about 1,500-2,000 people throughout the day and they experienced what a great place Deer Park and Vinton Street are!  We have posted a few pictures from the event, thanks to Jim Lamb of Blacksheep Photography.  Please visit Deer Park Neighborhood on facebook to see many more!